School news roundup: excellence, fitness, and quarantine

Parklawn Elementary School [Parklawn PTA]

The following news items about schools in the Annandale/Mason District area are from Fairfax County Public Schools and school emails to the community.

Excellence at Parklawn – The National PTA has recognized Parklawn Elementary School and its PTA as a National School of Excellence.

The School of Excellence program honors schools that are building a strong, effective family-school partnership that is enriching the educational experience and overall well-being for all students. PTAs and families become key partners in making data-driven decisions that lead to long-term school improvements.

The Parklawn PTA launched a fundraising drive to support a school supply closet where students and teachers could request items needed for learning at home. While the school provides laptops to students working at home, the PTA distributed headsets and microphones to students unable to participate during class discussions.  

The PTA also created art kits for every student with modeling clay, beads, tissue paper, and other items and an invitation to create something in the school colors to share via video. PTA members also worked with administrators and teachers to select hundreds of books on diversity topics for classrooms and the library. 

Parklawn is one of only 351 school/PTA School of Excellence partnerships in the United States for 2020-22. 

TikTok warning – Luther Jackson Middle School urges parents to talk with their children about a viral meme on the TikTok social media platform that has taken hold across the nation. The meme, called  Devious Licks, calls for students to vandalize schools and steal specific items, such as exit signs and classroom phones. 

Students at Jackson have ripped down and stolen soap dispensers in bathrooms. School leaders urge parents “to help make sure our students are not engaging in this unacceptable behavior.” 

Support for quarantined students – To support students learning at home due to a COVID-related pause, quarantine, or isolation, Superintendent Scott Brabrand said schools will provide limited live-streaming access to classes. That support will begin by the third day of a student’s quarantine period.

In a report to the school board Sept. 8, Brabrand said 393 students and staff members were directed to quarantine between Aug. 13 and Sept. 8. During that period, there were 501 COVID cases affecting 403 students, 96 staff members, and two visitors.

Brabrand noted the CDC, Virginia Department of Health, and the Fairfax Department of Health all recommend a quarantine period of 14 days after the last close contact with a person infected with COVID-19. 

Related story: FCPS speeds up the return-to-class procedure for students in contact with a COVID case

The CDC says, depending on local circumstances, a quarantine can end after the 10th day without testing if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring. A quarantine can end after the seventh day if the individual has a negative test and no symptoms. 

Brabrand told the board he would discuss with the Health Department whether FCPS could reduce the quarantine length to 10 or seven days. 

Fitness at Columbia – Columbia Elementary School students in grades K-5 are invited to join Cougar Fit, a free afterschool club organized by six teachers. The club meets on Thursday afternoons starting Sept. 30. Students will play games, such as kickball, soccer, relays, obstacle courses, and tag. 

“After so much time inside and isolated, kids need time for physical activity and social interaction,” states a flyer. “Our activities will be chosen to highlight collaboration and social-emotional learning.” The registration deadline is Sept. 23. 

Walk to School Day – FCPS will participate in International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 6. The event is aimed at promoting physical activity and reducing traffic congestion and pollution near schools.

Students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work where it’s safe to do so on Oct. 6. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to school and work with their school and PTA to assemble bike trains or walking groups for the event. 

Twenty-four Fairfax County schools have so far registered for Walk to School Day, including Annandale Terrace Elementary School and Parklawn Elementary School in Mason District. 

Schools, neighborhoods, and families can register online and can choose any day in October.