Tag: schools
FCPS could reconsider in-school learning
Now that parents and teachers have voted on whether they prefer in-school or distance learning, there’s a renewed effort among some Fairfax County School Board members to push for all-virtual learning, at least for the start of the 2020-21 school year. The school board will discuss the issue July 21. Superintendent Scott Brabrand says he … Continued
More details emerge on FCPS return-to-school plan
Annandale High School is preparing for the return to school with newly painted classrooms and new furniture. [AHS] As of July 13, 59 percent of Fairfax County students want to go to school in person, and 41 percent want to continue with virtual learning for the 2020-21 school year, according to information shared at a … Continued
Ricardy Anderson of Mason District elected school board chair
Anderson The Fairfax County School Board, at its July 9 meeting, elected Ricardy Anderson of Mason District as chair for a one-year term. The school board also agreed to revise the 2020-21 school calendar to delay the start of the school year from Aug. 25 to Sept. 8. Related story: FCPS gives families more time … Continued
FCPS gives families more time to choose virtual or in-person learning
FCPS officials answer questions from the public during a town hall. From the left: Jane Strong of the special education department, Superintendent Scott Brabrand, and Assistant Superintendent Sloan Presidio. Fairfax County Public Schools is extending the deadline – from July 10 to July 15 – for families to decide whether they want in-person or virtual … Continued
New principal named for Sleepy Hollow Elementary School
Fallen [FCPS] Mattie Fallen, the assistant principal at Braddock Elementary School in Annandale, has been named the new principal of Sleepy Hollow Elementary School, Region 2 of Fairfax County Public Schools announced on Twitter July 2. Fallen will succeed Sleepy Hollow Interim Principal Maureen Lopez. “Fallen’s wealth of experiences, knowledge, and skills make her a great … Continued
Families face July 10 deadline for deciding whether to send children back to school
School board member Rachna Sizemore Heizer (left) Assistant Superintendent Frances Ivey speak at a virtual town hall. No one seems to be happy about the Fairfax County return to school plan. During a virtual town hall session co-hosted by school board members Rachna Sizemore Heizer (at-large) and Ricardy Anderson (Mason) June 29, there were many … Continued
Teacher unions want FCPS to continue virtual instruction
A proposed classroom layout showing how social distancing could work. [FCPS] Teacher unions are urging Fairfax County Public Schools to continue with online learning when the 2020-21 school year starts in August. The school board on June 23 agreed to give families a choice among two options on how they return to school: Full-time online … Continued
Bailey’s Elementary School wins PTA grant
The National PTA has awarded Bailey’s Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences in Bailey’s Crossroads a $5,000 grant to assist families who need internet access and devices to support students’ summer learning. The funds are part of a $1.25 million regional PTA package of COVID relief funds that are being distributed to more than … Continued
Fairfax County Schools to add four religious holidays
The Fairfax County School Board is considering adopting a calendar for the 2021-22 school year with four new religious holidays: Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Diwali, and Eid al Fitr. Two options were presented to the school board June 18. The only difference is that one version has an additional student holiday and ends the school … Continued
Fairfax County School Board to consider three ‘return to school’ scenarios
Families celebrate Annandale High School graduates. [FCPS] Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand presented three potential scenarios for reopening schools – virtual education only, opening buildings with health guidelines, and a hybrid model – at a school board work session June 15. The school board is holding a virtual public hearing on the “return to … Continued
During pandemic, Annandale preschool reaches out to children at home
Sleepy Hollow Preschool teachers say goodbye to the children at a drive-by end-of-year celebration. Sleepy Hollow Preschool has been continuously operating in Annandale for 70 years – and when the coronavirus pandemic struck, it found an innovative way to keep going. The school, located in rented space at John Calvin Presbyterian Church on … Continued
A call to action from the TJ principal
The principal of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Ann Bonitatibus, acknowledges there are significant issues that need to be addressed. The following excerpt is from an email Bonitatibus sent to TJ families. It was published in the Connection on June 9. “I would like to simultaneously call the TJ community to action in three … Continued
Very few black students accepted to TJ
Thomas Jefferson High School is on Braddock Road in Mason District. Updated June 15. Of the 486 students accepted to the Class 2024 at the elite Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ), very few of them are African American and only 16 are Hispanic, Fairfax County Public Schools reports. [Clarification: School officials … Continued
Northam reveals guidelines for opening schools
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued guidelines June 9 for reopening preK-12 schools for the 2020-21 school year. Whether school buildings will open or not, all schools must offer new instruction. Fairfax County school buildings have been closed since the coronavirus pandemic took hold in mid-March, and all instruction has been virtual since then. State guidelines call … Continued
School news: Celebrating achievement
Students and teachers in Mason District have been accomplishing great things. The following news briefs are from Fairfax County School Board member Ricardy Anderson’s (Mason) newsletter to the community. Environmentally conscious schools – Belvedere Elementary School and Beech Tree Elementary School have received Eco-Schools Awards. The Eco-Schools program improves student academic achievement, contributes to financial savings through … Continued