Field Trip Ban Lifted
<bt>Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Daniel A. Domenech has lifted the ban on field trips to Washington, D.C., and New York City, effective immediately. The ban on international field trips to destinations outside the United States is still in effect.
The restrictions have been relaxed due to the reduction in the national threat level from high, or orange, to elevated, or yellow, by the United States Department of Homeland Security as well as to the absence of any specific information about a threat to either of those two cities. The U.S. Department of State is still issuing worldwide travel cautions for Americans traveling overseas.
<sh>Longer Days
<bt>Students returning to class Monday after the week-long spring break found themselves with longer school days. From April 21 through May 16, the school day has been extended by 30 minutes to make up for lost time due to snow.
Current start times remain the same, instead he additional time is tacked onto the end of the day. Morning kindergarten classes begin at the same time, but run 15 minutes longer, with afternoon kindergarten classes beginning 15 minutes later and ending 30 minutes later than normal. The time change also applies to modified-calendar schools.
<sh>Community Surveys to Go Out
<bt>Fairfax County Public Schools will distribute surveys in May to selected parents, community members, local businesses and school-system employees. The surveys will help determine how the school system is delivering products and services critical to the success of its students and schools, and will be used to identify areas where county schools are strong and areas that need improvement.
The parent and resident surveys will be provided, via U.S. mail, to approximately 12,000 randomly-selected participants who are representative of school-attendance areas and of racial and ethnic groups within the school pyramids. Participants may complete the mailed survey or they may complete the survey on the schools' Web site. All responses will be confidential. Results will be reported during summer and fall 2003.
<sh>Medicaid Waiver Workshop
<bt>The Fairfax County Public Schools will hold a workshop on Medicaid waivers and how to apply for a waiver Thursday, May 1, from 7:30 to 9:15 p.m., at the Dunn Loring Center, 2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring. Call the Parent Resource Center at 703-204-3941 or e-mail Connie.Brown@fcps.edu to register.
<sh>Grade All-County Choral Festival
<bt>Approximately 900 sixth grade students from Fairfax County Public Schools will participate in the 27th Annual Sixth Grade All-County Choral Festival on Saturday, May 3, at 4:30 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School field house, 8515 Old Mt. Vernon Road, Alexandria. The program will include traditional, folk, and classical choral music selections.
The choral festival is cosponsored by the school system's Instructional Services Department and the Fairfax General Music Educators Association. The public is invited to attend the concert, admission and parking are free.
<sh>FCPS Events Calendar
<bt>Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m.
Fairfax County Public Schools retirement reception. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Wednesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.
Gifted and Talented Advisory Committee meeting. Lacey Center, 3705 Crest Drive, Annandale.
Thursday, April 24, 8 a.m.
Professional Technical Studies Advisory Committee meeting. Falls Church High School, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church.
Thursday, April 24, 7:30 p.m.
School Board regular business meeting. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Monday, April 28, 8 a.m.
School Board work session, legislation; policy review; student services; and instruction. Burkholder Center, 10700 Page Ave., Fairfax.
Tuesday, April 29, 7:30 p.m.
School Board special meeting, challenged materials, "Thousand Pieces of Gold," by Ruthanne Lum McCunn and "When I Was Puerto Rican," by Esmeralda Santiago. Burkholder Center, 10700 Page Ave., Fairfax.
Monday, May 5, 5 p.m.
School Board work session, finance & budget. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Wednesday, May 7, 7 p.m.
School Board special meeting, teacher leadership awards. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Thursday, May 8, 7 p.m.
School Board public hearing, bond. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Thursday, May 8, 7:30 p.m.
School Board regular business meeting, bond. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.