FCCPS WEARS ORANGE IN SUPPORT OF |
In this issue:
Celebrating Graduation for the Class of 2022
Recognizing Our Retirees
Resources to Support Talking to Children About Gun Violence
Registration Reminders
All Things COVID
Dear FCCPS Families,
I hope you had a great Memorial Day Weekend. It was a thrill to see so many of you at the parade this year and to all be back together again.
This past week we’ve held a number of meetings to reinforce our efforts around school safety. On June 28th we will present to the School Board our safety and security protocols in place to keep our students safe when in our care (some will be in a closed meeting as we don’t want all of the safety/security plans in the public). School safety is a community issue that will continue to require all of us to stay vigilant. For example, if you have weapons at home please store them safely. 4.6 million American children live in homes with guns that are both loaded and unlocked and over ⅔ of death in children comes from guns - many of which are those improperly stored. Kids know where we adults hide things. Hiding a weapon in the top drawer of a dresser, under a mattress, or in a closet without appropriate security is dangerous. Additionally, Virginia has “red flag” laws in place and if there is someone you know is in crisis and owns guns it is imperative that you reach out to the local authorities to take appropriate action in advance of a tragedy. Lastly, Falls Church has many legal, law-abiding gun owners. We are simply asking that we all take a role in keeping the guns out of children's hands, especially with the rise in suicides and mass shootings. Thank you for your vigilance. Here is an excellent resource about storage and the “Be Smart” campaign. https://besmartforkids.org/
So, that was a bummer update but important.
Now onto the great news…Our seniors are about to graduate! You can find information about graduation below. Also, we are closing in on the end of the year, and our students have done a fantastic job this year with support from our teachers and our families. Thank you so much for your continued support.
Have a great weekend!
Peter Peter J. Noonan, EdD
Superintendent
#BetterTogether #WeAreIB #IBforAll
Celebrating Graduation for the Class of 2022
The Meridian graduation banners in downtown Falls Church are up. This means that it is almost time for graduation week for the Class of 2022! The graduates will walk the halls of the elementary and middle schools on Tuesday. Graduation is Wednesday, June 8 at 4:oo p.m in the Meridian High School stadium. Please plan to arrive early. Plenty of parking is available next door in the Virginia Tech lot and the West Falls Church Metro parking garage.
Recognizing 2022 FCCPS Retirees for Support & Service
Please take a moment to acknowledge and thank those employees who will be retiring from the division. If you recognize a name on the list that made a difference to you, your family, or your child–please drop them a note of appreciation.
Resources to Support Families in Talking to Children About Gun Violence
Teachers, staff, and parents agree that discussing gun violence with children is not something anyone wants to do. However, adults cannot avoid the subject of the recent shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde, and Tulsa. Below you will find resources to help support when children ask “those” questions. You can always reach out to your school’s counselor, social worker, and psychologist with questions or for support.
Talking to Children About Violence: NASP Tips for Families & Educators
Talking to Students About the Texas Elementary School Shooting | NEA
How To Talk With Kids About Terrible Things: NPR Ed
How to Talk to Your Child About Gun Violence and School Shootings
Talking to Children about Violent Events in the News
Ways to Help Your Child Through Crisis
National & Community Mental Health Resources
If you or anyone you know needs mental health support, please reach out. You are not alone and don’t have to deal with mental health issues in silence. Your call may save lives. Below are resources available in the community to assist those in need.
CSB Children, Youth & Family Services
Walk-in Services at Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health (Merrifield)--CSB
Mobile Crisis Unit | Community Services Board
Wellness Circle Crisis Stabilization Unit | Community Services Board
IN AN EMERGENCY, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH,
CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY FOR ASSISTANCE.
National Alliance on Mental Illness:
1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or helpline@nami.org
HelpLine volunteers answer questions, offer support, and provide practical next steps. You can reach the NAMI HelpLine Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the United States. 1-800-273-8255
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Alliance:
SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
HELP4U Text Messaging Service:
Send your zip code via text message: 435748 (HELP4U) to find mental health support services near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.
Registration for 2022-23 School Year - Easier & Earlier
For the first time, FCCPS is opening student registration early for the upcoming school year to allow families more time to complete the registration process. Check it off your to-do list before summer vacation! Also, new this year, FCCPS is using PowerSchool Parent Portal for registration. This means less typing! We will transfer each student’s current information, and parents will only have to verify and update it.
Additionally, all family information will be easy to find in one place.
As you are registering, don’t just “tab through.” Please double-check all information for your student(s) to ensure everything is accurate and up-to-date.
Step 1: Get your PowerSchool Parent Portal Account in order.
All parents of students in grades Prek-5 should have received an email from RegistrationSupport@fccps.org with instructions. For families with students in grades 6-12, the new accounts will link to your existing PowerSchool Parent Portal account.
If you need help accessing your PowerSchool Parent Portal, please use the ‘Forget Username or Password’ prompt and check your SPAM/Junk folder for the response.
Step 2: Register your students.
On Thursday, May 26, 2022, FCCPS sent all parents an email with a link and unique information about each student so that you can begin your student(s) registration. Registration must be completed on a web browser (safari/chrome) via https://fccps.powerschool.com/public. Registration will not be available on the mobile app.
For help, email RegistrationSupport@fccps.org and a staff member will respond
Spanish-speaking families who need help, contact Family Resource Center Parent Liaison, Rhina Portillo (portillor@fccps.org)
REMINDER FOR FAMILIES WITH STUDENTS ATTENDING TJHSST:
You MUST Register your student(s) each year with Falls Church City Public Schools in order for FCCPS to pay their tuition to TJHSST.
If you have any questions or need assistance, reach out to RegistrationSupport@fccps.org
All Things COVID:
Updated Guidance from the CDC
On May 27th, the CDC released updated Operational Guidance for K-12 School and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning.
This guidance is aligned with the COVID-19 Community Levels that CDC released earlier this year.
The CDC also released the following materials which are aligned with this updated guidance:
Report a Positive COVID Test Result
All students and staff should report any positive test results using the FCCPS COVID POSITIVE RESULT REPORTING FORM and follow the guidelines on the VDH PARENT FLOW CHART FOR POSITIVE RESULTS AND CASES
Vaccine Boosters Now Available for 5-12 Year Olds
Children in Virginia, ages 5–11 years, are now recommended for a booster if they completed their primary series of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine five months ago or more. Search for COVID‑19 vaccine locations to find an appointment near you.
Free COVID Tests Mailed to Your Home
Visit Get free at-home COVID-19 tests to order free test kits for your home.
Falls Church Covid Status –MEDIUM
FCCPS follows the CDC Guidelines based on community transmission levels and information available in our FCCPS Pandemic/Communicable Disease Response Matrix for daily operations.
Symptomatic Students/Staff
Any student/staff member who has COVID-like symptoms should not attend school/work until symptoms are almost entirely resolved (no cough, no runny nose, no fever), AND, a negative COVID test (lab, proctored, or home tests are accepted) OR an alternate diagnosis or clearance from a medical professional is required to return.
Adjustments will be made for students with known health conditions based on the guidance of our nursing staff.
BinaxNow Rapid Testing
Proctored rapid tests are available in each school health clinic.
All BinaxNow tests are proctored tests. Users must set up a Navica account and visit http://virginia.emed.com/ to begin the “test for school” process. FCCPS BinaxNow Tip Sheet.pdf
PCR Testing
Free PCR testing is available to students and staff every Tuesday and Thursday for the remainder of the school year.
FCCPS Summer Testing Drop-in Clinics wil be held on Tuesdays between June 22 -July 27 from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. at OSES. Open to all staff and students.
To join, register here! It only takes a minute and continues to be an essential part of our Covid-19 mitigation strategy.
FCCPS COVID By The Numbers
Updates to the data below ensure that all community members are informed about positive cases and testing.
Data: | Number Positive of Cases for Weeks 39 & 40 | Cumulative Since August 1 |
# of Student Cases: | 47 | 637 |
# of Staff Cases | 15 | 140 |
# of Students in Quarantine as a Close Contact | 19 | 227 |
FCCPS Rate of Transmission | MEDIUM for Falls Church City MEDIUM 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.
All FCCPS positive cases are included regardless of source. These data include parent/staff reports, ViSSTA results, HD notifications, and healthcare providers.
ViSSTA Testing Data Weeks of | Number Tested | # Positive |
Week of May 23-27 Tuesday Thursday Week of May 30-June 3 Tuesday Thursday |
252 272 220 245 |
4 5 2 TBD |