Week of February 12
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In This Issue Congratulations District ChoirCongratulations to the Herndon MS students selected to participate in All District Choir this past weekend. We are incredibly proud of our HMS representatives! Bravo!
Reminders: Last Week's News Math-STEM Fun NightEvent sponsored by Mathnasium & HMS PTA
Herndon Middle School will be hosting the first ever Math-STEM Fun Night on February 15th from 6pm to 8pm in the Cafeteria. We will have Robotics Team demonstrations & Math-STEM hands-on activities led by Herndon High Students!
This is a Drop Off Event for 7th and 8th graders. They must be picked up by 8pm. Any student younger than 7th grade must be accompanied by an adult.
We will have raffles for FREE merch, candy, and other PRIZES including free Mathnasium Tutoring! The first 150 students will receive a FREE goody bag!
Pre-Registration is required to save your spot!
Special Guests: Herndon High School Robotics Team, Abacus Team, The First Chesapeake, and NOVALabs.
Contact: Melissa at [email protected]
Here Comes the BusWant to know if your child's bus is on schedule or where the bus is? Here Comes the Bus® is an easy-to-use website and app that enables parents to see the location of their child’s school bus — almost in real time — on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.
Parents can track multiple buses if their children don’t all ride the same bus; know exactly when children arrive at school or the bus stop; and receive customized text and/or email notifications about bus locations, schedule changes, or delays.
To get started, download the app from the Apple iOS or Android app store. Check out the Here Comes the Bus and Frequently Asked Questions webpages for more information.
Already using the Here Comes the Bus app? Send your feedback to [email protected].
Note: eNotify text messaging will continue to be used for reporting bus delays and bus incidents.
In This Week's News FY 2025 Proposed BudgetSuperintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Proposed Budget at the February 8th School Board meeting. Dr. Reid’s presentation and other budget documents are available here. Find your School Board member and how to contact them on the School Board Members webpage.
Click the image to view all FY25 Proposed Budget documents
Upcoming School Board Budget MeetingsPlease note, times and topics are subject to change.
- Tuesday, February 13, 1:45pm: Budget Work Session
- Tuesday, February 13, 6pm: Budget Public Hearing
- Regular Meetings and Work Sessions are live-streamed on the FCPS website and televised on FCPS Cable Channel 99.
- Recordings of Meetings: Work Sessions and Regular Meetings are recorded and available here after the meeting.
Starting in March, FCPS will introduce new and exciting menus that will offer more hot options and parfaits at breakfast, and new items at lunch such as Sweet Thai Chili Chicken Wings and Asian-Inspired Dumplings. Also in March, FCPS cafeterias will display new menu cards on each food service line that provide detailed information on the included food group(s) and information to assist students in knowing which food items meet their cultural and philosophical dietary preferences. This aids students in making informed decisions on the foods they choose to eat. The Menu Card Poster will share how to read the menu cards.
Staying Healthy This Cold/Flu SeasonCases of RSV, the flu, and other viruses often rise this time of year. It is important for students to wash their hands regularly and cover their coughs and sneezes. Parents/Caregivers, please check your student before they come to school. If they complain of not feeling well, check their temperature, talk with them, and assess their physical well-being. Just a minute or two in the morning may save you a trip to school later in the day to pick up a sick student. Visit FCPS' Health and Safety Guidance webpage for more tips.
Free COVID-19 Rapid TestsResidential households are eligible to receive free at-home COVID-19 test kits. If an order has not been placed for your address since the program reopened on September 25, you may place two orders now.
Understanding High School Mathematics Course OfferingsHow can students participate in mathematics throughout high school in a way that is relevant to and supportive of post-secondary and career interests?
On Friday, March 8 from 10-11:30am, we will discuss mathematics graduation requirements and how to support students in navigating the various course offerings currently available in FCPS.
Students and their families may start thinking about what course pathways are available beginning in middle school. Join us to learn more.
Presented by Jennifer Allard FCPS High School Math Specialist and Erin Sylves FCPS Math Specialist.
Register for Understanding High School Mathematics Course Offerings
College Partnership ProgramDo you have a student between grades 8 through 11 who wants to go to college? If so, they should consider applying to the College Partnership Program (CPP), which offers support as students explore the idea of going to college! The deadline to apply is March 15, 2024.
Questions? Please contact Danielle Mascoll at [email protected].
Instruction 2 Industry Student Career ExplorationIn February, school divisions across the region will team up with Virginia Ed Strategies to host the annual Instruction 2 Industry Career Expo event. This Northern Virginia regional event invites high school students to connect virtually and in person, with more than 60 local industry professionals from in-demand career fields. Students should register today on the Instruction 2 Industry Events page. These free career exploration events aim to provide students with opportunities to prepare for tomorrow’s workforce today.
Virtual sessions will be held Monday, February 5 - Thursday, February 8 from 4-7 p.m., and the in-person Career Expo and Job Fair will be held Saturday, February 17 from 1-4 p.m., in the North Hall of the Dulles Expo Center.
Resources Opioid Overdoses Continue - Ways to HelpCommunity members are asked to stay vigilant and take steps to help curb fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses. A significant area of concern here in Fairfax County and around the country is a growing number of opioid overdoses involving youth. This article provides many facts and resources for you as a parent or community member to help keep everyone safe.
This is a communitywide problem and requires a comprehensive approach to prevent future overdoses and connect individuals experiencing opioid and substance misuse to treatment and support services. Take action today.
- Talk with your youth and other loved ones who are impacted by substance misuse about the dangers associated with drug use. Have a short, judgment-free talk about stress, mental health, peer pressure, and substance use.
- Start talking about medication safety early by advising young children not to take any pills without asking you first.
- Only take pills prescribed by your doctor from a licensed pharmacy. Never buy pills from social media, online, on the street, or from unlicensed pharmacies.
- Review more action steps you can take and tips for parents/caregivers from the U.S. DEA.
- Learn more about fentanyl in the Fairfax Health District by watching this short video from the Fairfax Health Department and viewing materials from community events on local trends and prevention strategies:
- What Your 11th & 12th Graders Are Learning in Schools About Drugs & How You can Talk with Them (fall 2023 – FCPS Family Resource Center) English/Español
- Opioid Townhall (April 2023) on youth opioid use and Fairfax County’s response plan
- Preparing Families for Difficult Conversations about Alcohol & Drugs (2023 - Parent Resource Center) English / Español
- What Parents Need to Know About Drugs and Their Students with Disabilities (2023 - Fairfax County Special Education PTA)
- Webinar on Youth Substance Use Trends (Spring 2022 FCPS and Fairfax County Government)
- Sign up for a REVIVE virtual training class on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and administer naloxone nasal spray to reverse an opioid overdose. After completing the training, individuals 18 and older will receive Narcan, fentanyl test strips and treatment information.
- Safely store and dispose of unwanted medications to prevent opioid misuse from ever starting.
- Help raise awareness by sharing resources from the Fairfax opioid communications toolkit and this fact sheet on fentanyl in the Fairfax Health District.
- Encourage youth to participate in SAMHSA’s Fentanyl Awareness Youth Challenge (see below for more details) and develop a community strategy to educate their peers about fentanyl and fake pills. Submissions are due February 26, 2024.
Food insecurity impacts more than 60,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Find out how to receive or offer support on the Fairfax County website, or view their Human Services Resource Guide for assistance with food, clothing, housing, and other services.
Upcoming Family Resource Center WebinarsBehavior Solution Series for Elementary and Secondary Families – Join FCPS Behavior Intervention Services staff for help encouraging positive communication and behavior at home. Webinars will be held at 10 a.m.
- Elementary Webinars:
- Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication - Friday, February 16
- Taming Tantrums and More - Friday, March 15
- Secondary Webinars:
- Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication - Friday, April 19
- Taming the Teen-Aged Brain - Friday, May 31
How to Handle Disappointing Grades: Ways to Uncover the Reasons Behind Your Child’s School Performance and How to Help- Join Ann Dolin for new strategies to tackle these sticky situations while preserving your relationship with your child. Friday, February 23 from 10-11:30 a.m.
FBA/BIP Essentials for Families- Does your child have concerning behaviors at school? Did you know that there is a process to identify and support your child at school? Thursday, February 29 from 6:30-8 p.m.
Lightspeed Parent Report on Student’s FCPS Device ActivityFCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service. Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours. Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports here.
Tutor.comTeacher-Referred Tutoring
Through Schoology®, all FCPS students have 24/7 access to no-cost, year-round, on-demand, 1-to-1 tutoring services through Tutor.com.
A new Teacher-Referred Tutoring program feature provides targeted support and extends student learning. Teachers can now refer students for tutoring, with their specific needs already identified. Students can get extra support — on their own schedule — and reinforce their in-class learning.
We strongly encourage all FCPS middle and high school students to click on the Tutor.com icon in their Schoology portal for homework help, concept review, writing support, and test prep—anytime, anywhere.
Plus, look for teachers’ tutoring session referrals on the Tutor.com homepage.
Summer Opportunities FCPS Summer Learning and Fun Career and Technical EducationCTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Visit the CSA webpage to register.
Institute for the Arts CampsIFTA is a two- or three-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9 (graduation requirement), music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage to register.
Self-Directed Economics and Personal FinanceSummer is a great time for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance course requirement. During the self-directed course, students work independently to complete the requirements. Students must register by Friday, May 24. For more information, see the Summer Learning information page.
Summer Online CampusTake advantage of the opportunity to earn a high school course credit via this summer’s online campus program. Registration ends Friday, June 7. Math, health and physical education, career and technical education, English, science, social studies, and world language courses are available to eligible students.
Additional Summer Learning OpportunitiesPlease go to the following website Summer Learning information page to learn about these summer opportunities:
- Credit Recovery Academy/ Extended Learning
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Self-Directed Economics and Personal Finance
Spring and Summer Camp Registration is open! Spots fill up fast! See the full listing of camps, as well as multiple ways to search and tools to use that will make enrolling easier. Learn more about the camps and how to register here.
Herndon Summer Camp Registration in AprilRegistration for our summer camps start April 3 for Town of Herndon residents and April 9 for non-residents. Don't let this opportunity slip away! Your child will have unforgettable memories and make new friends. Learn more here.
Calendar Black History MonthFebruary is Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.
Learn more about Black History month.
Ash WednesdayFebruary 14 is Ash Wednesday, a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It marks the beginning of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving leading up to Easter. Many Christians attend special Ash Wednesday church services, at which churchgoers receive ash on their foreheads.
Ash Wednesday derives its name from this practice. Read more about Ash Wednesday in Britannica.com.
Presidents DayAll schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 19, for the Presidents Day holiday.
Learn more about Presidents Day in Britannica.com. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 20.
February- Black History Month
- 14 | Ash Wednesday
- 15 | Math-STEM Fun Night 6-8pm
- 19 | Presidents Day
- 23 | Movie Night 6pm
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.
Helpful Links- FCPS This Week (ICYMI)
- Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
- School Lunch/Menu Information
901 Locust St. Herndon, VA 20170 | Main Office: 703-904-4800
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