Schools starts Aug. 28: 4 things to know
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| When a school puts out the stop sign, drivers much stop. |
Fairfax County Public School students are back in school on
Monday, Aug. 28. It’s the first time school is starting before Labor Day.
Monday, Aug. 28. It’s the first time school is starting before Labor Day.
More than 189,000 students attend FCPS schools, which makes it
the 10th largest school system in the United States. Everyone will be affected when
the kids go back to school, even if you don’t have school-age children. Here is
some helpful information from FCPS:
the 10th largest school system in the United States. Everyone will be affected when
the kids go back to school, even if you don’t have school-age children. Here is
some helpful information from FCPS:
(1) Bus and pedestrian safety
More than 1,700 school buses, as well as young drivers and
student pedestrians, will be out and about, which could result in a longer
commute if you’re heading to work.
student pedestrians, will be out and about, which could result in a longer
commute if you’re heading to work.
Middle schools begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at 2:15 p.m. High
schools begin at 8:10 a.m. and end at 2:55 p.m. Elementary schools’ schedules
vary – starting anywhere between 8:10 and 9:20 a.m. and ending between 2:55 and
4:05 p.m.
schools begin at 8:10 a.m. and end at 2:55 p.m. Elementary schools’ schedules
vary – starting anywhere between 8:10 and 9:20 a.m. and ending between 2:55 and
4:05 p.m.
If you encounter a school bus with flashing red lights, drivers
must stop in both directions unless separated from the bus by a median. In
2016, the Fairfax County Police Department issued 154 citations for passing
stopped school buses.
must stop in both directions unless separated from the bus by a median. In
2016, the Fairfax County Police Department issued 154 citations for passing
stopped school buses.
Drivers need to be extra alert as many children will be
walking or biking to school. Do not block crosswalks, pay attention to school
zones with slower speed limits, and always stop when directed by a police
officer or crossing guard. Click here for a map of all crossing guard posts.
walking or biking to school. Do not block crosswalks, pay attention to school
zones with slower speed limits, and always stop when directed by a police
officer or crossing guard. Click here for a map of all crossing guard posts.
(2) Special election on Aug. 29
School will be on session during a countywide special
election for an at-large seat on the school board on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
election for an at-large seat on the school board on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
Many voting precincts are in public schools, including these
schools in Mason District: Annandale Terrace, Bailey’s lower, Beech Tree, Belvedere,
Bren Mar Park, Camelot, Glen Forest, Mason Crest, Parklawn, Sleepy Hollow, and Westlawn
elementary schools; Holmes and Poe middle schools; and Stuart and Thomas
Jefferson high schools.
schools in Mason District: Annandale Terrace, Bailey’s lower, Beech Tree, Belvedere,
Bren Mar Park, Camelot, Glen Forest, Mason Crest, Parklawn, Sleepy Hollow, and Westlawn
elementary schools; Holmes and Poe middle schools; and Stuart and Thomas
Jefferson high schools.
To avoid confusion, voters are encouraged to vote before or
after school hours if possible.
after school hours if possible.
(3) Help for stress and anxiety
Because the beginning of the school year can be especially
hard for some students, FCPS encourages students to take advantage of a 24-hour
crisis text hotline service by texting “connect” to 85511.
hard for some students, FCPS encourages students to take advantage of a 24-hour
crisis text hotline service by texting “connect” to 85511.
This free service, open to anyone, is provided by PRS CrisisLink in partnership with the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services
Board and other local agencies.
Board and other local agencies.
(4) Free homework help
The Fairfax County Library has a long list of online
resources to help students succeed from the first day of kindergarten through SAT
and ACT test prep.
resources to help students succeed from the first day of kindergarten through SAT
and ACT test prep.
Great post, Ellie. Thank you.
They've whittled down summer vacation by about three weeks since I was a kid in the 60's. We'd get out around Memorial Day and return on the Tuesday after Labor Day. Guess there must be more to learn these days.
The academic calendar is in the middle of a shift–school will end earlier in June, and resume in late August. There have also been more snow days built into the program so that when June comes around, students won't have make-up days tacked on.
I don't know exactly how long the "new" summer break will be when the schedule is fully implemented, but I understand it's too soon to know exactly what it will "feel" like.
But yes, there is more to learn these days.
I thought I read that the "King's Dominion" rule was being reinstated after 2 years. ??? Anyone know for sure?