School year starts with some big changes
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| Students get a warm welcome at Justice High School. |
Some big changes awaited Fairfax County public school students as they headed off for the first day of school Aug. 26: All
high school students will get laptops, a new app will let parents track children’s
school bus, and some students will get free school meals without having to fill
out a form.
Among other changes
cited by FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand in his back-to-school message: An
assistant ombudsman has been added to work with families on special education issues,
and the student discipline policy has been revised to add a stronger focus on
supporting students socially and emotionally.
Under the laptop program,
FCPS On, all high school students will receive a Dell Latitude 3300. Students will have access to their laptop at
school, and in some cases, will be able to take them home.
FCPS On, all high school students will receive a Dell Latitude 3300. Students will have access to their laptop at
school, and in some cases, will be able to take them home.
Students will be responsible for a $50 annual
technology support. Students eligible for free or reduced-price school meals will pay
$25 or will have the fee waived, depending on their family’s income.
technology support. Students eligible for free or reduced-price school meals will pay
$25 or will have the fee waived, depending on their family’s income.
The laptop program
started in 2016 in the Chantilly High School pyramid. It is expected to cost
$30 million over five years.
started in 2016 in the Chantilly High School pyramid. It is expected to cost
$30 million over five years.
With the
laptop program, “we’re going to be able to close the digital divide here in
Fairfax County and really give every kid equitable access to our rich
curriculum and exciting activities,” Brabrand said.
laptop program, “we’re going to be able to close the digital divide here in
Fairfax County and really give every kid equitable access to our rich
curriculum and exciting activities,” Brabrand said.
The new school
bus tracking app, called Here Comes the Bus, will give parents and guardians
real-time bus locations on a graphical interface along with text and email
alerts. It can be used on smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers.
bus tracking app, called Here Comes the Bus, will give parents and guardians
real-time bus locations on a graphical interface along with text and email
alerts. It can be used on smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers.
The bus app is
available to parents at no charge but parents must have a Student Information
System account to download it.
available to parents at no charge but parents must have a Student Information
System account to download it.
All students
enrolled in 19 FCPS elementary schools, regardless of household income, will
receive breakfast and lunch every day at no charge without the need to submit
an application under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
enrolled in 19 FCPS elementary schools, regardless of household income, will
receive breakfast and lunch every day at no charge without the need to submit
an application under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
Schools in the
Annandale/Mason District areas covered under this program include Annandale
Terrace, Bailey’s, Bailey’s Upper, Braddock, Glen Forest, Parklawn, Weyanoke, and
Woodburn.
Annandale/Mason District areas covered under this program include Annandale
Terrace, Bailey’s, Bailey’s Upper, Braddock, Glen Forest, Parklawn, Weyanoke, and
Woodburn.
4 responses to “School year starts with some big changes”
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Holy crap, I just had to buy one, and these FFX students get one for free. If I hear one more iota that FFX Schools don't have enough money, I am personally going to have a sky written post that tells parents to put their money where the mouth is.
I mean, there's an opt out form for families who can afford their own, those who need them get them so everyone's on equal footing, they're low-to-mid-range Dells, and there's a substantial support fee, and having a computer is a basic necessity for work and school in the NOVA area, school systems are often the only support a child can rely on, etc, but I totally agree. I had to buy groceries yesterday, and I was so mad when I heard some rotten kid got a free breakfast! Clearly someone somewhere is getting something they need while I'm not getting something for free and that just will not stand.
Thank you, 8:40. 🙂 Well said.
Nice job 840, lol