Updated 5/4/21
Subject: Return to School Update
Staff Contact: Scott Brabrand, Superintendent, Fairfax County Public Schools
Frances Ivey, deputy superintendent
Marty Smith, chief operating officer
Sloan Presidio, chief academic officer
Lisa Williams, chief equity officer
Marcy Kneale, director of operations, Division Superintendent
Leigh Burden, assistant superintendent, Department of Financial Services
Michelle Boyd, assistant superintendent, Department of Special Services
Jeff Platenberg, assistant superintendent, Department of Facilities and Transportation Services
Gautam Sethi, chief information officer, Department of Information Technology
Mark Greenfelder, assistant superintendent, Department of School Improvement and Supports
Sean McDonald, interim assistant superintendent, Department of Human Resources
Becky Baenig, assistant superintendent, Region 5
Helen Lloyd, executive director, Office of Communication and Community Relations
Kathleen Walts, executive director, Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement
Kate Salerno, senior administrator, Nontraditional School Programs
Michael Molloy, director, Government Relations
Francine Furby, director, Transportation Services
Lidi Hruda, director, Office of Research & Strategic Improvement
Jen Glaser, director, Office of Counseling & College & Career Readiness
Maura Burke, director, Early Childhood Curriculum and Grant Management
Mike Bloom, director, Office of Special Education Instruction
Lea Skurpski, director, Operations and Strategic Planning
Jane Strong, director, Special Education Procedural Support
Deb Scott, director, Special Education Intervention and Prevention Services
Meeting Category: May 3, 2021 – Work Session
School Board Action Required: Discussion
Key Points:
The June 15 and June 23, 2020 School Board work sessions provided draft options for reopening of schools under the following scenarios-- virtual start, return with social distancing, or reopen with some students and staff unable to return.
The July 13 work session provided the Board with a roundtable opportunity to discuss the hybrid and in-person Return to School (RTS) options and ask questions of staff.
The July 21 work session provided the Board with updates related to health conditions, the impact of those conditions on operations, technology readiness, telework, and the use of face coverings.
The August 18 work session provided an update on preparation for the September 8th virtual start, focusing on technology work teacher professional development, and parent/student technology support. We reviewed the 17 recommendations from the Technology Advisory Council and provided our responses. We presented Special Education updates and shared a draft of the metrics and a phase in plan for in-person learning that was still under development.
The September 22nd work session provided an update on the operational metrics and the phase in plan.
The October 15th work session reviewed FCPS operational and readiness levels, provided an update on COVID notification and reporting and shared tentative phase in scheduling for remaining student groups. We also discussed the instructional approach.
The November 15th presentation provided the Board with updates on health thresholds for in-person decision making as well as staffing. We also discussed lessons learned from pilots informing FCPS concurrent model rollout and shared an updated timeline for in-person phase in as well as in-person opportunities and efforts to support wellbeing.
The December 10th work session reviewed updated COVID trends, including region and FCPS specific data, shared updates on mitigation efforts and deployment of safety teams, and provided updates from the Fairfax County Health Department. We also provided an updated staffing analysis and examined 1st Quarter grade data and implications. We also reviewed an updated timeline for in-person learning.
The January 5th work session provided health and safety, staffing, and in-person learning timeline updates.
The February 2nd work session provided an update on health information, vaccine updates, staffing updates, interim guidance recently issued by the Virginia Department of Education for the reopening of K-12 schools, and an updated timeline for return to in-person learning.
The March 16th work session focused on sharing updates on the successful return of students and staff to in-person learning as well as FCPS preparations to return to five days of in-person learning in the fall. The presentation provided health and safety updates; findings from the Distance Learning Study; social-emotional, academic, and attendance supports for students; 4th quarter changes; summer planning, and planning for the transition back to full time in-person learning.
The April 20th work session provided updates to CDC guidance and the return of additional students to in-person learning this spring, updates on summer learning, plans for fall 2021 and community outreach plans.
Today’s work session will provide updates on the approach for virtual instruction for the 2021-2022 school year.
Attachments (to be provided prior to the meeting):
Return to School Presentation