This is from the email sent on Nov 13 to all FCPS parents by Superintendent Brabrand. This is NOT a TJ PTSA event.
I invite you to join me for a virtual Return to School Town Hall from 6-7 pm on Thursday, November 19. Watch the event on your device on the FCPS website. Submit your questions in advance to returntoschool@fcps.edu or call in during the Town Hall at 1-800-231-6359.
Complete Email:
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Dear Parents, Caregivers, and FCPS Staff,
At our School Board Work Session last night, I presented an updated plan to continue to bring students back for in-person instruction in a gradual, phased approach with the safety of our students and staff remaining our top priority.
We continue to closely monitor health conditions and how they may impact our ability to open schools safely and effectively. COVID-19 infections have reached record levels in the United States. Virginia has one of the lower infection rates compared to other states but is currently seeing COVID-19 cases trending upward. We are keeping a close eye on these conditions. Changes in health conditions that impact FCPS’ in-person return will be immediately communicated as they occur.
Current Timeline for Return to In-Person Instruction
Students most in need of in-person instruction, about 4 percent of our total population, are already attending in-person classes for part of the week. Our current plan is that an additional group of students (Group 5) will return to school in-person beginning Tuesday, November 17. Group 5 students include Head Start, pre-K, kindergarten and select students who receive special education services.
Data Driven Decisions
Specific health-related metrics were shared with the School Board last night and are posted online. These metrics guide our decisions on when new groups of students can begin in-person instruction. They also determine the criteria for when existing in-person instruction may need to be transitioned back to a virtual setting. The criteria is based on the Virginia Department of Health Phased Guidance for Schools and identifies thresholds for the total number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 persons as well as the percentage of persons testing positive.
FCPS’ Determining Metrics for In-Person Instruction
For a group to BEGIN in-person instruction:
- The established thresholds for the group must be met for BOTH the number of cases per 100,000 persons and the percent positivity for seven (7) consecutive calendar days.
For a group to REMAIN in in-person instruction:
- The number of cases per 100,000 persons or the percent positivity for may not exceed the established threshold for the group for seven (7) consecutive calendar days.
Groups will transition back to DISTANCE LEARNING if:
- The number of cases per 100,000 persons or the percent positivity exceeds the established threshold for the group for seven (7) consecutive calendar days.
Thresholds for student Groups 1-6 can be found here.
Athletics and Extracurricular Activities
Contingent on health conditions in our community, we will be broadening opportunities for additional in-person activities. The following changes will be taking place in the weeks ahead:
- Virginia High School League (VHSL) athletic programs may begin using gyms and weight rooms, while other VHSL activities such as theater, debate, and robotics may begin using indoor and outdoor facilities.
- High school co-curricular activities such as marching band, DECA, FBLA, and student government, as well as curricular activities such as performing arts and instrumental programs, may tentatively begin to use indoor and outdoor facilities as soon as November 30.
- High school extracurricular clubs and activities may use FCPS facilities starting January 11 and middle school extracurricular clubs and activities will follow on January 26.
Continued Commitment to Timely Communication
Please watch for official announcements. Again, we stress that changes in health metrics may cause certain in-person instruction, athletics and/or activities to pause. Changes will be announced as soon as they occur.
Nov. 19 Town Hall
I invite you to join me for a virtual Return to School Town Hall from 6-7 pm on Thursday, November 19. Watch the event on your device on the FCPS website. Submit your questions in advance to returntoschool@fcps.edu or call in during the Town Hall at 1-800-231-6359.
My deepest thanks to all of you—students, parents, caregivers, teachers, staff, and members of the community—for your understanding and patience. Please stay safe and do your best to help one another as we all work to make the best of a very difficult situation. We will keep you updated as changes take place.
Sincerely,
Scott Brabrand, Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools