SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATES
Happy Friday! This week includes one of my favorite days of the year - when FCCPS and Falls Church Education Foundation leaders visit the schools to surprise the nominees for staff awards. It was uplifting to be in all the buildings celebrating the people who make FCCPS so special. Learn more on this webpage.
On the COVID front, the first week of opt-outs for masking went very well. There are changes on the horizon, both nationally and statewide, that will affect Falls Church. For now, FCCPS will continue with the current plan. When the expected new guidance is shared by the CDC, it will inform the next steps for the school division.
The difficult journey of the past two years is wearing on all of us, so please take some time to focus on the social-emotional needs, mental health, and well-being of your student(s) and family. There are some wonderful resources available. I hope you will review the list below and reach out for support if you need it. Take good care and enjoy the long weekend ahead.
Sincerely,
Peter
#BetterTogether #HandleWithCare
Social-Emotional/Mental Health:
Social-Emotional Learning Standards:
The Virginia Department of Education has developed a set of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Standards for each grade. There are 5 identified areas of focus for PreK-12 SEL.
Resources for Parents & Caregivers:
Early Childhood
Elementary
Secondary
English Learners
Students with Disabilities
FCCPS Special Services Staff:
Each school has an amazing team of professionals ready to support students and their families. You can reach out to school counselors, school social workers, and/or school psychologists for support. Our staff is here to help students and families every day, but especially as we navigate during this stressful time. Reach out to them via email or call your student’s school directly.
Jessie Thackrey Preschool
School Counseling | Laurie Prather (pratherl@fccps.org) |
School Psychologist | Kimberly Yeager (yeagerk@fccps.org) |
School Social Worker | Sarah Coughter (coughters@fccps.org) |
Mount Daniel Elementary School
School Counselors | Jed Jackson (jacksonj@fccps.org) Ilana Reyes (reyesi@fccps.org) |
School Psychologist | Kimberly Yeager (yeagerk@fccps.org) |
School Social Worker | Sarah Coughter (coughters@fccps.org) |
Oak Street Elementary School
School Counselors | Laurie Prather (pratherl@fccps.org) Carol Seaver (seaverc@fccps.org) |
School Psychologist | Kimberly Yeager (yeagerk@fccps.org)) |
School Social Worker | Robin Borum (borumr@fccps.org) |
Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
School Counselors | Matt Sowers (sowersm@fccps.org), Director of Secondary Counseling Sia Knight (knights2@fccps.org), Assistant Director of Secondary Counseling Tara Filmyer (filmyert@fccps.org) Heidi Gilmore (gillmoreh@fccps.org) Gina Craig (craigg@fccps.org) Christie Kayal (kayalc@fccps.org) |
School Psychologist | Peggy Lloyd (lloydm@fccps.org) |
School Social Worker | Colleen Hoover (hooverc@fccps.org) |
Meridian High School
School Counselors | Matt Sowers (sowersm@fccps.org), Director of Secondary Counseling Sia Knight (knights2@fccps.org), Assistant Director of Secondary Counseling Dana Quirine quirined@fccps.org) Brad McAdam (mcadamb@fccps.org) Valerie Chesley (chesleyv@fccps.org) Zach Fisher (fisherz@fccps.org) |
School Psychologist | Susan Bender (benders@fccps.org) |
School Social Worker | Ghada Khalaf (khalafg@fccps.org) |
Local Community & National Mental Health Resources:
Call 911 should you need immediate support in a life-threatening situation.
CrisisLink Regional Hotline: 703-527-4077 CrisisLink is a hotline for individuals in crisis or family/friends seeking guidance on how to help a loved one
CrisisText: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.
Mobile Crisis Unit: 703-573-5679 The Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU) is an emergency mental health program of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board that provides on-scene evaluation, treatment, and crisis intervention in the community.
Merrifield Center Emergency Services: 703-573-5679 The Merrifield Center of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board offers a range of clinical programming. Emergency Services, staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week, works with people in psychiatric crisis who need immediate attention.
National Hope Line: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
LGBTQ Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357)
Did you know….that FCCPS parents can access free individual and/or family counseling services for students in grades 6-12? Please contact your student’s counselor for a referral to these services provided to families in our community via the Healthy Minds Fairfax program. This is a wonderful resource provided by the Fairfax/Falls Church Community Services Board.
COVID INFORMATION:
FCCPS COVID By The Numbers
Weekly updates to the data below ensure that all community members are informed about positive cases, testing, and masking.
Data: | Number Positive of Cases for Week 25 | Cumulative Since August 1 |
# of Student Cases: | 31 | 375 |
# of Staff Cases | 2 | 83 |
# of Students in Quarantine Due to Being a Close Contact | 0 | 203 |
FCCPS Rate of Transmission | HIGH for Falls Church City HIGH for Fairfax Health District | |
Please note that this data is just a snapshot of FCCPS in total and is adjusted based on the outcomes of each contact tracing investigation.
All FCCPS positive cases are included regardless of source. These data include parent/staff reports, ViSSTA results, HD notifications, and healthcare providers.
ViSSTA Testing Data Week of: | Number Tested | # Positive |
February 7-11, 2022 Tuesday Thursday |
386 365 |
1 2 |
February 14-18, 2022 Tuesday Thursday |
371 349 |
4 TBD |
|
Location: | # of Students Opted Out of Mask Wearing | ###b#< of Population |
Jessie Thackrey Preschool | 4 | 6.2% |
Mount Daniel Elementary | 34 | 6.9% |
Oak Street Elementary | 47 | 9.0% |
Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School | 38 | 6.4% |
Meridian High School | 47 | 5.5% |
School Division | 170 | 6.7% |
Important Links for Parents:
FCCPS COVID POSITIVE RESULT REPORTING FORM
FCCPS Student Vaccination Card Upload Portal
ViSSTA Testing Registration/Permission Link
Student Self-Monitoring Health Screening
Staff Self-Monitoring Health Screening