School Cafeteria Food Survey
As a result of the advocacy of Real Food For Kids and FCCPTA (see our March 2011 resolution Real Food for Kids: Improving School Lunches), the School Board has hired Prismatic Services, Inc. to complete an assessment of the Food & Nutrition Service's school lunch program. It is in progress through June 2013. The program evaluation will include school operation observations, interviewing, and surveying stakeholders and recommendations to enhance the program.
Part of the assessment are two confidential surveys, one for parents/caregivers and the other for students. Please respond only once. The survey is available in English, Spanish and Korean. The survey ends Friday, March 29.
Parent/Caregiver Survey
Your responses are very important to the outcome of this assessment. Community forums will be scheduled later in the assessment process to provide an opportunity for dialogue on potential options for reform that have been identified. To be kept advised of developments, you may subscribe to the mailing list at Real Food For Kids, www.realfoodforkids.org.  |
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FCCPTA General Membership Meeting
Our next General Membership meeting is Wednesday, April 3 starting at 7:00 PM. (NOTE: The March 11 newsletter incorrectly stated that the meeting starts at 7:30 PM.) The meeting will be in the Cafe of the Gatehouse Administration Center in Merrifield.
Please make sure to attend the April 3rd meeting as FCCPTA is hosting a Roundtable Discussion on "How to Advocate Successfully for What Your Want from Your County School System". We have a great line-up of Roundtable participants, including two Fairfax County Supervisors:
- Fairfax Supervisor John Cook (Braddock District)
- Fairfax Supervisor Jeff McKay (Lee District)
- Shaista Keating, Fairfax for Full-Day Kindergarten
- JoAnne Hammermaster, Real Food or Kids
- Sandy Knox, Fairfax FLAGS
Local unit PTA Presidents and/or their designated representatives are voting members of FCCPTA. As such, they should plan to attend FCCPTA General Membership Meetings. For the April 3rd Roundtable Discussion, however, please extend the invitation and encourage all your PTA members to attend -- whether they're experienced FCPS advocates or parents that have never "lobbied" before. Everyone has some ideas or needs that they want to see advanced. The discussion will extend to audience members to share questions and ideas. Plus, FCCPTA will be providing additional resources so PTA leaders can start, sustain, or advance their own advocacy efforts.
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2012-2013 FCCPTA Reflections Program
It is with great pleasure that the Fairfax County Council of PTAs congratulates the entrants of 2012-2013 FCCPTA Reflections Arts Competition. The theme of the 2012-2013 competition was "The Magic of a Moment," and the entries this year were truly magical! Our judges praised the both the technical skill and amazing creativity of the Fairfax County participants, across all six arts categories and all five grade level divisions.
Congratulations to all entrants who won an Outstanding Interpretation award or Honorable Mention! We hope
that you enjoyed participating in the competition as much as we enjoyed your entries. The amount of talent and
effort invested in this competition was amazing.
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Spring Break
FCPS schools will be closed from Monday, March 25 to Friday, March 29.
Staying close to home? Check out the following offical tourism websites for interesting events and activities: |
Bullying Prevention 101 - Facilitator Training
When: Tue, Apr 02, 20131:00-4:30 p.m.Where: Pennino Building - Room #1034 (10th Floor), 12011 Government Center Parkway, FairfaxWho Attends: Youth-serving individuals who would like to be able to provide a one-hour presentation to their community center, youth group, faith community, or other venue where you interact.Cost: $149 per trainee. For more information and to register Click HERE. |
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Autism Awareness Day, Friday, April 5
10:00 to 11:30 AM: Unstuck & On Target! This morning workshop is part of the FCPS Parent Resource Center's annual Autism Awareness Day and will be presented by Dr. Lauren Kenworthy from George Washington School of Medicine and The Center for Autism Specturm Disorders at Children's National Medical Center. Dr. Kenworthy will discuss an executive function curriculum that increases flexibility and on-task behavior in elementary school students with autism spectrum disorders. The strategies presented are also applicable to children with executive dysfunction and other diagnoses, including traumatic brain injury, ADHD, anxiety and learning disabilities. __________________________________ Noon to 1:30 PM: Advances in Autism Research. Don't miss this important workshop from the National Institutes of Mental Health on current advances in autism research. This afternoon workshop is part the Parent Resource Center's annual Autism Awareness Day and will address current research topics and factors associated with better outcomes among children with autism spectrum disorders. __________________________________ |
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Celebrate Teachers! with Tysons Galleria
Tysons Galleria is seeking nominations for a top notch teacher in our community. The winning teacher will receive a $500 mall gift card for National Teacher Day - Tuesday, May 7.
Celebrate Teachers! recognizes and showcases the dedication of our best educators and strengthens the mall's commitment to local schools.
Teachers can be nominated on the mall's Facebook page from March 21 to April 3 and votes can be cast from April 16 - 28 at www.facebook.com/tysonsgalleria. The teacher receiving the most votes on the mall's Facebook page will receive a $500 mall gift card on National Teacher Day!
See www.tysonsgalleria.com for official rules.
Anyone 13 and older can nominate any teacher meeting the following criteria:
- Full-time, state-licensed teacher
- Working in a Pre-K to 12 non-profit school (public or private)
- School must be within 100 miles of Tysons Galleria
- Self-nomination is permitted
- A parent can nominate a teacher for students under 13
For more information please contact Stephanee Abellar, Common Area Coordinator | Tysons Galleria at 703-827-7700 or stephanee.abellar@ggp.com.
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National Walk Bike Day, Wed., May 8
Wednesday, May 8 is National Walk Bike To School Day. Click HERE To Register your school's Walk Bike To School Day event.
All elementary and middle schools in Virginia are eligible to apply for Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Safe Routes To School (SRTS) QuickStart Mini-grants, regardless of past participation in a VDOT SRTS grant. If you're planning an event for National Walk Bike To School Day or have another great way to use these $1,000 grants, you'll want to apply for one. The on-line application is available HERE.
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All Night Grad Party Code Compliance Guide
In an effort to minimize the potential fire and life safety risks associated with these parties and events, while meeting the intent of the Fire Prevention Code, the Office of the Fire Marshal has established public safety planning procedures and general fire safety guidelines to assist planners and operators of all-night graduation parties and after-prom events maintain a higher level of fire and life safety, while reducing risk to the occupants. |
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Unified Prevention Coalition Events
Coffee & Conversation with Unified Prevention Coalition: UPC hosts "coffee and conversation" with Fairfax County coalition leaders and PTSA/PTSO/PTA leaders from middle school and high schools.
Tuesday, April 9 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Unified Prevention Coalition Office, 2970-B Chain Bridge Road, Oakton, VA.
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2013 Prevention Conference: The Unified Prevention Coalition's 2013 Prevention Conference is Saturday, April 13 at Falls Church High School, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. Registration starts at 8:15 AM; conference will end at 1:30 PM.
Although geared to middle school students and parents, the conference is open to any adult in the community looking for ways to help our youth learn healthy alternatives to stress, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
Keynote speaker for adults will be noted neuropsychologist William Stixrud, Ph.D., who will talk about stress and understanding the teen brain.
The conference will include fun, hands-on workshops for students on positive activities from music to martial arts and much more. (The youth workshops are not appropriate for any student below 5th grade. Students younger than that will need to stay with their parent/guardian during the conference as no child care will be available.)
Click HERE To Register.
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Join Friends of Fairfax Community PTA
JOIN Friends of Fairfax Community PTA and start making a difference TODAY!
We need you and all of our Community Members' support and involvement to be successful! Community memberships make our PTAs strong.
Friends of Fairfax Community PTA encourages parental engagement in our schools and supports programs for students and teachers to help bridge the financial and academic gap for PTA schools in Fairfax County.
Membership Dues fund the development of PTA leaders, student enrichment programs, and teacher enhancements through a grant process.
Please Click HERE To Download the Friends Of Fairfax Community Membership Form.
Have questions? Contact: friendsffxcompta@gmail.com
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