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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.
Hello Fairfax County,
As we begin preparing for the year ahead, I want to share updates on several issues affecting our schools — including the FCPS budget, crossing guard funding, and student safety.
Working to Protect Classrooms and Support Students
The upcoming budget year will be challenging, but I am working early with my colleagues on the School Board, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and our partners in the General Assembly to identify solutions that protect classrooms and provide the support our students need.
At the School Board’s Budget Committee meeting, I stated that my top priority for the upcoming budget is to protect the in-classroom experience of all students, and that starts with fully funding teacher pay raises and collective bargaining agreements, and no class size increases. Our budget priorities must remain focused on student-facing staff, strong instructional programs, and the resources schools need to serve every student well. I discussed these priorities during the recent FCPS budget work session.
I am very conscious of the financial pressures families across Fairfax County face on a daily basis, and I appreciate the school funding provided by taxpayers through the Board of Supervisors: an additional ~$1 billion since FY2020. It is also worth noting that our General Assembly delegation was able to deliver a significant funding increase earlier this year.
With that said, the FY2028 budget development, which kicks off later this fall, will be challenging. My door is open for your feedback during this process.
Watch Kyle’s comments during the FCPS budget work session
Partnership to Address Pedestrian Safety & Restore Crossing Guard Funding
At a recent Fairfax County Board of Supervisors public hearing, I discussed the carryover motion that provided funding for crossing guard coverage through the remainder of the school year at several high schools across the County. I concluded my remarks by quoting one of my childhood heroes, Mr. Rogers: “Look for the helpers”. It is the role of the School Board and Board of Supervisors to come together and be the helpers our community deserves, and I am happy that the funding was allocated by this critical safety function.
Additionally, Chairman McKay created the Joint Task Force to Address Pedestrian Safety in Fairfax County School Zones between the Board of Supervisors and School Board. This task force will tackle pedestrian safety concerns across several areas including:
- Approaches to public safety personnel deployments.
- Funding and cost-sharing ideas.
- Road design concepts and execution.
- Piloting of new safety-related General Assembly authorizations.
- Development of safety-related criteria and assessments.
- Public awareness and education campaigns.
- Ideas concerning necessary enabling legislation.
I am grateful to the Board of Supervisors for its partnership and for recognizing the importance of safe routes to and from school. I am also extremely thankful to the many residents, students, parents, and staff members who spoke up about this issue, especially those in the South Lakes and West Springfield communities. Keeping students safe requires collaboration across FCPS, Fairfax County, law enforcement, and our residents.
Watch the budget town hall discussion — Kyle’s comments begin at 3:35:40
Keeping Our Kids Safe
I am bringing a motion at the next School Board meeting on September 24th to prohibit automated license plate readers (ALPR), including Flock systems, on FCPS-owned property. This is a preventative measure: FCPS does not currently have these systems. In recent days, bans or moratoriums on ALPR cameras in public spaces have been put in place in Arlington County and Fairfax County, with leaders in Alexandria City, and the Governor, expressing concern about these systems.
Read my motion regarding ALPRs on FCPS property
Communities elsewhere have experienced serious problems involving the collection, retention, sharing, and misuse of ALPR data. Schools should be safe and trusted places for students and families. Protecting our children means not only responding to safety concerns, but also thinking carefully about privacy, accountability, and how mass, automated surveillance technology is used around our schools. This motion does not affect the current non-ALPR systems, including school zone speed cameras, bus stop-arm cameras, and security cameras on our schools and administrative buildings.
Without significant privacy safeguards implemented by state lawmakers, these ALPR systems do not belong on school property, and I hope the state does tackle this issue in the upcoming General Assembly session.
Sincerely,
Kyle McDaniel
Vice Chairman & Member, At-Large
Fairfax County School Board
Other Updates
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Wednesday, September 16, at 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Reporting Discrimination or Harassment
FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should report the incident as soon as possible.
Schools Build Belonging so Students Can Thrive
What does belonging look like in our school? In FCPS, we are creating inclusive, supportive environments where every student feels known, valued, and connected — the second goal of the Strategic Plan. From mentoring to cross-grade collaboration, when students feel safe and supported, they can truly thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice at FCPS.
Importance of Strong Attendance Habits
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
- Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
- Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to your school’s front office. Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students
Register now for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students. The free conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS in collaboration with community partners, the conference highlights the power of partnerships in supporting student success. Families, educators, and community members are invited to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall with local resources, and lunch for all participants.
Register for the conference and visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT Testing Day
SAT School Day and PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) exams will be held at each high school on Wednesday, October 7, at no cost to families. The digital SAT School Day exam is offered to 12th grade students, and the digital PSAT/NMSQT exam is provided to 10th and 11th grade students.
Unscheduled Day for 9th Grade Students - Because of the testing, most 9th grade students will not have school on October 7. Students are encouraged to complete any missing work or assignments that need to be completed prior to the end of the first quarter.
Ninth grade students with disabilities who receive low incidence special education services will still receive in-person instruction with a two-hour early release on October 7.
Contact the Student Services team at your child’s school with any questions. Learn more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS.
Applications Open Monday, October 5, for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Eighth graders who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2031 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application will be available Monday, October 5, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, October 30. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information, including a schedule of upcoming information sessions at middle schools.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
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- Review and Sign the SR&R
- Your Child Belongs at School
- What’s for Lunch? Check the FCPS App
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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Calendar Reminder |
Yom Kippur - Monday September 21, is a holiday and schools and offices will be closed.
See the complete school year calendar.
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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