FCPS has been planning for the return to school since spring, with students back in classrooms five days a week. Parents are encouraged to visit the Return to School page, frequently checking the Return to School FAQs, and reading FCPS This Week for the latest information.
Here are five important takeaways:
- Returning Strong: Health and Safety
The focus is on creating a safe and healthy learning environment for students to learn together in classrooms all year. This will be achieved through layered prevention strategies, including universal masking in school buildings and widespread vaccination. The Return to School-Safety page has all the details about this safety strategy.
- Returning Strong: Academics and Social-Emotional Supports
Teachers and staff will be prepared to address and support students’ specific needs when the new school year begins on August 23. A full Academic Support Plan, tied to FCPS’ proposed ESSER III spending plan—which was based on community feedback—will be a significant investment of funding and resources that will ensure that students have the academic and social-emotional supports they need to thrive this school year and beyond. The final ESSER III spending plan will be approved by the School Board at its Board meeting on August 26.
- Returning Strong: Transportation
Bus stops and route information will be shared with families via ParentVue accounts on August 10. Please note that all students will be required to wear a mask when riding a school bus or using school transportation.
- Returning Strong: Athletics
The return to school brings a return to fall sports. As with our entire return to school plan, safety is a top priority as fall sports resume. The health and safety protocols in place this fall include universal masking when indoors in locker rooms or taking part in indoor athletics.
- Outdoor activities–Masks are not required.
- Indoor activities–Masks are required for coaches and all players who are not participating in the activity; this includes practices, games, and outdoor sports moving indoors for practices.
- On buses–Masks are required.
All athletic safety protocols for the 2021-22 school year, including water, screening, equipment, and reporting are available on the FCPS website.
- Returning Strong: Free Meals
When students return strong this fall, FCPS’ Food and Nutrition Services staff will be ready to serve healthy meals to students and staff. This year, all students will receive free breakfast and lunch. Find out more about school meals.
School-Aged Child Care (SACC) is back!
Chairman Jeff McKay has announced that with the return to in-person instruction this fall, SACC will be providing before and after services in 142 locations this year, including two new centers. Watch the full video here https://fb.watch/73UfJqZ49q/. More information for the 2021-22 School Year program is available now on the SACC website. Families who were previously enrolled will be contacted to determine their need for services.
Source: Fairfax County Public Schools