Getting to Know Fairfax County Public Schools Presented

Getting to Know Fairfax County Public Schools Presented by Family and School Partnerships Instructional Services Department www. fcps. edu/is/fam

An FCPS Overview for Parents • Graduation Requirements • Communication • Calendar • Safety • Code of Conduct • Testing • Health Services • Parent Resources • Special Education • Technology Tips • Nutrition

High School Graduation Requirements Detailed diploma requirements on the web: http: //www. fcps. edu/is/schoolcounseling/graduation. shtml • Standard Diploma - 22 credits • Advanced Studies Diploma - 26 credits • Mathematics requirements • Career and Technical Education and High School Academy Programs • Advanced Placement (AP) / International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs

International Baccalaureate Program • The IB began in Geneva, Switzerland, in the 1960 s to provide students with an education that produces globally minded thinkers The goal: “to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. ” • Candidates for the IB diploma – offered in eight FCPS high schools, including Marshall - are expected to: ØTake at least 6 IB courses – including some college-level courses that can earn the student free college credit if they pass an IB exam with a minimum score. ØStudy a second world language. ØUndertake extensive community service hours. ØProduce an independent research paper. • Eight FCPS high schools offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program - including Marshall High School.

Student Learning Plan • The Virginia Board of Education requires a Student Learning Plan that aligns academic and career goals with the student’s course of study. • All 7 th grade students will begin development of a personal academic and career plan • The Student Learning Plan will be reviewed and updated prior to entering 9 th grade and 11 th grade. • As a parent you can view your child’s Student Learning Plan – but not change it! - through your FCPS 24 -7 Learning Blackboard account. So learn to use it now!

Calendars The calendars below are available on the web at www. fcps. edu/cal. shtml • Student School Year Calendars • School Board Calendars • Graduation Calendars • Noteworthy Events • Religious and Cultural Observances

Code of Conduct • We hold most seriously the obligation to provide a safe and secure environment for all students who participate in our school programs. • Students are able to take full advantage of their educational opportunities when they are able to attend school without fear. • Students must understand their responsibilities and rights in relation to achieving the best from their educational experience. • The cooperation of students, parents, school staff members, and the community remains essential in providing an appropriate environment for learning to take place. Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R): A Guide for Families can be found here: http: //www. fcps. edu/dss/ips/ssaw/SRR/index. shtml

Health Services School Health Room Services If a child becomes ill, parents or guardians will be notified. Keep your contact information up-to-date with the school, so we can reach you if your child falls ill during the school day! Parents or guardians must deliver medications directly to the Health Room. Students cannot transport medication. The School Health Aide, Valerie Berg, can administer medications with appropriate parent and doctor permissions. Valerie Berg School Health Aide [email protected] edu 703 -506 -7810

School Counseling Services – School Counselors work with students, teachers, parents, and administrators to help ensure that students' educational, vocational, and emotional needs are being met. School Counselors provide crisis intervention services and individual and group counseling to help all students develop their educational, social, career, and personal strengths and become responsible and productive citizens. – Donna Hill, counselor Monday through Friday DMHill [email protected] edu 703 -506 -7825 Kristen Mihalick, counselor Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday [email protected] edu 703 -506 -7825

School Psychologist and Social Worker • Trained psychologists and social workers are available to help students and parents as needed. Their primary goal: removing any barriers that prevent a student from fulfilling his or her academic potential. Kristina Martell, school psychologist Mondays and Fridays [email protected] edu 703 -506 -7894 Tara Rice, School social worker Tuesdays and Wednesdays [email protected] edu 705 -506 -7894

Special Education • Early Childhood Identification and Services/Child Find identifies and intervenes. The Dunn Loring number is 703 -204 -6760 – or 703 -204 -6791 for Spanish-speakers. • FCPS students can receive additional services when they are found eligible for an individualized education program (IEP). • Special education’s Parent Resource Center and Library are at Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 703 -204 -3941. • Workshops are available about special education programs, policies, and procedures, and parenting a special needs child. You can access more information on Parent Resource Center workshops at: http: //www. fcps. edu/dss/osp/prc/resources/events/index. shtml

Nutrition–School Meals • Breakfasts and lunches are available at no cost for income-eligible students. Parents must submit a NEW application each school year. • Parents may prepay for meals by the month, week, or day. - Online – www. My. School. Bucks. com – NEW! No fee. - Check – written to the school - Cash • Students may also bring lunches from home. • Lunch Menu online www. fcps. edu/fs/food/serve/lunchmenus. shtml • Dietary restrictions are respected. Thomas Mawson Cafeteria manager [email protected] edu 703 -506 -7821

Communication • On the FCPS home page – www. fcps. edu • The Parent Information Phone Line Amharic 571 -423 -4957 Farsi 571 -423 -4954 Urdu 571 -423 -4955 Arabic 571 -423 -4952 Korean 571 -423 -4951 Vietnamese 571 -423 -4956 Chinese 571 -423 -4953 Spanish 571 -423 -4950 • Cable TV – Red Apple 21 • FCPS News Hour (English) • In Other Words (Arabic, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese) • “Twitter” – Join and receive FCPS news that answers the question, “What is happening? ” Click on Twitter icon on FCPS home page or go to @fcpsnews. The FCPS Spanish-language Twitter account is @fcps. ES • FCPS Mobile App is free • Freedom Hill’s PTA has its own Twitter account: @freedomhillpta

Communication • Participate in parent-teacher conferences – not just in the first quarter. Parents can request a conference with their child’s teacher at any time during the year. • Review your Tuesday folder that comes home from Freedom Hill in your child’s backpack each week. The PTA also has a Tuesday newsletter. • Read Principal Bloom’s Hill Highlights blog at the following address: http: //hillhighlights. edublogs. org/ • Ask your child questions about, check, and help with homework. Use your new Student Information System (SIS) Parent Accounts and FCPS 24 -7 Learning (Blackboard) to view children’s assignments, grades, disciplinary and medical information and to update contact information. The school’s registrar - Louan Hassinger – can help if you need a new activation code for the SIS Parent Account. . She is in the front office at 703 -506 -7803 or at [email protected] edu.

Communication Ways to Support Your Child and Your School • Meet with your child’s teacher(s). • Talk with your parent liaison. • Check Keep in Touch (KIT) e-mail. Keep-in-Touch PLUS • Write notes or e-mail the teacher. • Send thank-you notes to school staff for all they do for your children – including principals, teachers, front office staff and vital behind-the scenes employees such as the custodial staff that keeps the building clean and bus drivers.

Attendance Policy • Virginia state law requires that all school age students, ages 5 -18, attend school regularly. Students who regularly attend school have the most success. • Extended absences interrupt the continuity of learning. • Poor (inconsistent) attendance can negatively affect academic, social, and emotional growth. • After 15 consecutive days absent from school a student is withdrawn from FCPS and must officially enroll again in order to attend classes.

Attendance • If your child is sick or tardy (late to school), then call your child’s school attendance line, 703. 506. 7878 , BEFORE 9: 30 a. m. • If you know ahead of time your child will be missing school (ex. , trip, surgery), then send a note explaining the reason for the absence. • If you have to pick up your child early from school (ex. , doctor’s appointment), then send a note explaining the reason for early pickup and the time you expect to arrive.

Safety • Fairfax County police officers are assigned as School Resource Officers (SROs) for each secondary, high, and middle school. • A uniformed security presence and security patrols also visit elementary schools and are available on as as-needed basis. • Each school has an emergency preparedness plan that is coordinated with county, state, and federal security plans. • FCPS security operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Transportation • More than 1, 600 buses transport over 130, 000 students to and from school each day. • Elementary students living more than one mile from school, and secondary more than 1. 5 miles from school are provided free bus transportation.

Testing Students must take required Standards of Learning (SOL) tests in core subjects: 3 rd grade: (2 SOLs) Reading and Math 4 th grade: (3 SOLs) Reading, Math and Virginia Studies 5 th grade: (3 SOLs) Reading, Math and Science 6 th grade: (2 SOLs) Reading and Math 7 th grade: (2 SOLs) Reading and Math 8 th grade: (5 SOLs) Reading, Writing, Math, Science and Civics/Economics 9 th-12 th grade: Up to 11 SOLs

• A wide variety of after-school activities are available during the school year. Review the PTA website for more information: http: //www. freedomhillpta. org/ • Middle schools and high schools offer optional team sports. All FCPS Middle Schools have a free after-school program five days a week with free late buses on three of those days. • Families of K through 6 th graders may apply for School Age Child Care (SACC). Call 703 -449 -8989. • Community, recreation, and summer school programs are available over the summer.

Parent Resources Language Services • Language services are available for speakers of Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, Vietnamese, and other languages. • Interpreters will be provided for parents at conferences, school events, and meetings at the request of a school staff member. • Request language assistance through child’s teacher or school’s parent liaison. • The Parent Information Phone line in Amharic (571 -423 -4957), Arabic (571 -423 -4952), Chinese (571 -423 -4953), Farsi (571 -423 -4954), Korean (571 -423 -4951), Spanish (571 -423 -4950), Urdu (571 -423 -4955), Vietnamese (571 -423 -4956).

Parent Liaisons Parent liaisons are school staff members who work with parents and staff. They help get the information and assistance you need to support your child at home and ensure your child’s success in school. All parent liaisons are proficient in English; many speak one or more languages. Freedom Hill’s parent liaison is Maria Mateus, who speaks English and Spanish and serves all of Freedom Hill’s parents. Maria Mateus, Parent Liaison [email protected] edu 703 -506 -7824 Monday: 11: 45 a. m. to 4: 15 p. m. Wednesday: 10: 30 a. m. to 1 p. m. Fridays: 11 a. m. to 4 p. m.

Parent Resources Community Liaison Provides all families with information about school and community services. • • Free school physicals, immunizations Child care programs Parent Centers, Family Resource Centers Recreation, leisure, and libraries Medical insurance Adult English classes Job skills and employment Other information as required Locations • Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services (Arabic, English, Korean, Spanish) • South County Government Center (English, Spanish) • Lake Anne/Reston Government Center (English, Spanish)

Parent Resources Child Supervision Guidelines When is it safe to leave a child home alone? http: //www. fairfaxcounty. gov/dfs/childrenyouth/supervision_eng. htm Age Guidelines: • 7 years and under: Should not be left alone for any period of time. This may include leaving children unattended in cars, playgrounds, and backyards. The determining consideration would be the dangers in the environment and the ability of the caretaker to intervene. • 8 to 10 years: Should not be left alone for more than 1 ½ hours and only during the daylight and early evening hours. • 11 to 12 years: May be left alone for up to 3 hours but not late at night or in circumstances requiring inappropriate responsibility. • 13 to 15 years: May be left unsupervised, but not overnight. • 16 to 17 years: May be left unsupervised (in some cases, for up to two consecutive overnight periods).

Resources Discounted/Loaner/Free Computers, Internet, and Software Locations of Computers in my Community Locations of Wi. Fi Access in my Community FCPS Access Programs Community Access Programs Visit web at: http: //www. fcps. edu/is/access 4 all/index. shtml

Advanced Academics • • • AAP Local Level IV: Freedom Hill offers a full-time Advanced Academic Program – known as Local Level IV – starting in 3 rd grade, with a challenging curriculum that goes beyond the state requirements. Twelve middle schools, including Kilmer Middle School, serve as full-time AAP Level IV centers. There are three other levels of Advanced Academics - Levels I, II y III: o All students receive Level I instruction from their classroom teachers to promote creative and critical thinking o Level II students are chosen by a school-based selection committee and receive advanced lessons in small groups within their classroom. o The Advanced Academics Resource teacher gives direct lessons in his classroom to Level III students chosen by the school-based selection committee. Franz Misch Advanced Academics Resource Teacher [email protected] edu 703 -506 -7826

Family and School Partnerships www. fcps. edu/is/fam Karen Branch-Brioso Region 2 Family Engagement Representative 703 -204 -4329 [email protected] edu