Tag: schools

Fairfax County superintendent considers plan for reopening schools in the fall
Glasgow Middle School teachers reach out to students. Fairfax County Public Schools is looking at what to do about the fall semester – whether schools reopen but maintain social distancing, what to do if the coronavirus pandemic continues or there is a second wave, and how to provide options for families not ready to have … Continued

When it comes to distance learning, this Annandale private school gets it right
A Pinecrest student participates in a Zoom session. By Nick Wakeman The headlines about distance learning have not been encouraging with Fairfax County Public Schools online classes shut down for a variety of reasons – problems logging in to security lapses to inappropriate student behavior. But there are bright spots in the county, including right … Continued

A school board member answers questions about the Blackboard failure
Kindergarten teachers have a message for their students. [FCPS] The failure of Blackboard Learn 24-7 as a key piece of Fairfax County Public Schools’ distance learning program has raised many questions about how it happened and what the school system is doing to move forward. School board member Rachna Sizemore Heizer (at large), who has … Continued

FCPS IT chief steps down
Luftglass Maribeth Luftglass has stepped down from her job as head of IT at Fairfax County Public Schools, following the school system’s disastrous experience with distance learning, several news outlets report. Luftglass had been assistant superintendent of information and technology since 1999. Chief Operating Officer Marty Smith will take over the IT department on an … Continued
FCPS to drop Blackboard Learn 24-7
Following continued problems with distance learning technology, Fairfax County Public School Superintendent Scott Brabrand announced Monday night: “We are going to move away from Blackboard Learn 24-7 as a tool for face-to-face instruction.” After suspending distance learning last week due to problems with logging in and security, Brabrand assured the community on April 16 that … Continued

Schools and students continue to have problems with distance learning
The login page for distance learning. Despite assurances from Fairfax County school leaders that the problems with distance learning would be fixed when students log on today, there were still glitches. “We are continuing with distance learning today despite the continuing problems we are experiencing with Blackboard Learn (FCPS 24-7),” the school system announced this … Continued

FCPS apologizes for distance learning failure
Superintendent Scott Brabrand says distance learning will work properly this week. [FCPS] When distance learning starts up again Monday, April 20, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand assured the community and school board that the problems have been fixed. Distance learning initially started last Tuesday, but FCPS briefly suspended the program, then canceled it … Continued

Fairfax County schools went digital – with a few glitches
Teachers at Braddock Elementary School in Annandale were ready for online learning. Updated, April 15: FCPS announced “due to ongoing technical issues with the Blackboard 24/7 system, teacher-led instruction is canceled for the remainder of today, April 15. FCPS is working closely with the Blackboard technical team to address these issues. The first day of … Continued

Revised school budget reflects impact of COVID-19
A screen shot from a virtual school board work session April 9. From the left: school board chair Karen Corbett Sanders (Mount Vernon), Tamara Derenak Kaufax (Lee), Megan McLaughlin (Braddock), and Superintendent Scott Brabrand. Fairfax County Public Schools will have far less revenue and more expenses than previously anticipated, due to the coronavirus pandemic. As … Continued

Brabrand: No decision on graduation ceremonies
Brabrand Every senior in good standing is going to graduate on time, said Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand during a live question-and-answer session April 4 on Facebook. With schools closed until the end of the year due to the coronavirus pandemic, people brought up a wide range of issues on how the schools … Continued

Fairfax County school system to start distance learning for all students April 14
Caroline, a fifth-grader at Beech Tree Elementary School, found something productive to do while schools are closed. She is sewing face masks with help from her mother. She got the idea from Beech Tree mom Van Nguyen, who is making face masks for healthcare workers. [FCPS] Fairfax County Public Schools plans to begin distance learning … Continued

Fairfax County Schools expands meal distribution program
Grab-and-go lunches ready for pickup at Bailey’s Elementary School. Fairfax County Public Schools on March 24 expanded its grab-and-go free meal service to 34 schools, 12 pop-up sites, and at intersections along many school bus routes. FCPS has also changed the hours at school sites to 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday. Breakfast and lunch will be … Continued

Gov. Northam announces more restrictions in face of COVID-19 emergency
Metro ridership is way down, as WMATA announces more service cuts. [WTOP] Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced more restrictions March 23 aimed at flattening the curve of new coronavirus cases. All schools statewide will remain closed at least through the end of the academic year. Gatherings of 10 people or more are banned. Northam signed … Continued

Brabrand: Schools could reopen April 14
Brabrand Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand said he hopes schools could reopen on April 14. That might not be possible, however, he said in a Facebook Live briefing on March 20. “Circumstances could change,” as the global coronavirus pandemic continues to spread. Brabrand said FCPS will provide more information early next week on how … Continued

FCPS adds 11 schools to free meals program
Families pick up packaged lunches at Bailey’s Elementary School. UPDATE, March 19: Many more sites have been added. See the full list here. Beginning on Tuesday, March 17, Fairfax County Public Schools is adding 11 schools to its meal distribution program for a total of 29. The program ensures schoolchildren can get free healthy grab-and-go … Continued