Focus on FCPS

Dear FCPS Families,

As we approach the spring season, we have many student accomplishments and activities to celebrate and showcase. Whether it's sports, clubs, or community service, these activities play a crucial role in shaping our student’s overall educational experience. I look forward to attending these upcoming events and I hope to see you there.

Additionally, I want to inform you about the FY25 budget calendar. As we plan for the next academic year, your input and feedback continue to be invaluable in ensuring that our resources are allocated effectively to meet the needs of all students and staff. The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on March 27, and will adopt their FY25 budget on April 10. Depending on the funding we receive from the Board of Supervisors and the state, the School Board may have to make adjustments to the budget before they approve it on April 16. Additionally, if you wish to review specific details of our budget conversations, please go to BoardDocs to watch our January and February Board meetings, as well as our budget work sessions and finance committee meetings.

Lastly, I would like to invite you to an upcoming Community Conversation event on March 25 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., at Stonewall Elementary School. This event will provide an opportunity for families, staff, and community members to discuss important topics related to our schools. Your perspectives and ideas are essential in shaping the future direction of our division, and I encourage you to attend and share your thoughts. Together, we can work collaboratively to ensure the success and well-being of all our students.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community.

Sincerely,

Dr. George C. Hummer

Superintendent of Schools

Join the Virginia Department of Education and Virginia PTA for a webinar on Wednesday, March 13 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. to learn about best practices in reading instruction and how you can support your student through all stages of learning to read. Registration is required. If you are unable to participate in the webinar tonight, you can still register and you will receive a link to the recorded webinar.

Dr. Hummer is holding Community Conversations with the Superintendent on Monday, March 25 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Stonewall Elementary School. This is an opportunity for parents, staff and community members to meet with Dr. Hummer and ask questions or provide feedback on a variety of topics.

There will be no school for students from Friday, March 29 through Friday, April 5 for Spring Break. Students will return to school on Monday, April 8. Please note that administrative offices and all school offices will be closed to the public during Spring Break.

Frederick County Public Schools is holding kindergarten registration for the 2024-25 school year during the month of March. All children who will be five years of age on or before September 30, 2024, must register for kindergarten. Families should contact the registrar at the school the child will attend to complete the registration process electronically or to make an appointment to complete the process at the school. Visit https://bit.ly/KGenrollment for additional information.

Preliminary applications to participate in Frederick County Public Schools 2024-25 Preschool Program will be accepted from March 4-29. The program will serve up to 72 selected four-year-olds residing in the Apple Pie Ridge, Evendale, Gainesboro, Indian Hollow, Jordan Springs, Middletown, Redbud Run and Stonewall elementary school attendance zones. Families who would like their child to be considered for admission into the preschool program must submit a preliminary application online during the application period. The application link is available on the FCPS website.

The Virginia Assessment Parent Portal provides you with access to your student’s Virginia Assessment Program test results. You should have received a letter from FCPS with a student-specific claim code to access your student’s test results. The letter is also available in your student’s “Backpack” in Infinite Campus. The claim code you received provides access to specific results. Further state testing/assessments will generate a new claim code for access to those results. To get started, click “Sign Up” at the bottom of the login screen to create your account.

Martin’s has selected Bright Futures as the recipient of its Round Up Campaign. When you round up your purchase at Martin’s now through March 31, your donation will help Bright Futures provide weekend food packs for the more than 1,400 food-insecure students at Winchester City and Frederick County public schools.

Middle school and high school students and their families are invited to attend Academy Day 2024 on Saturday, April 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Randolph-Macon College Center for for the Performing Arts, Blackwell Auditorium at 205 Henry Street, Ashland, VA 23005. Academy Day provides a comprehensive overview of the United States service academies and their admission processes. Students will be able to meet with officials from all five academies as well as representatives from other agencies. To ensure you receive an invitation and registration link for the event, please email academy_noms@warner.senate.gov. For more information on the Academy Nomination Process, please visit www.warner.senate.gov.

There are various ways you can stay connected with news and events happening at Frederick County Public Schools. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and YouTube.

Every month, the School Board recognizes the outstanding achievements of our teachers and staff. Please help us recognize the great work of our teachers and staff by nominating them for recognition at an upcoming School Board Meeting. Learn more.

Sixth grade students from Admiral Byrd Middle School practiced problem solving strategies using pattern blocks instead of numbers to solve equations. Solving equations gets students thinking in different ways.

This edition of Focus on Learning showcases elementary students across the division learning early literacy skills. In classrooms, students are engaging with this instruction through multisensory techniques. In this video students learn heart words, letter sounds and how to segment, blend, and manipulate sounds to learn new words. These techniques are a few ways the division is aligning instruction to science-based reading research. Families can find resources and suggestions for creating a literacy-rich home at https://literacy.virginia.edu/families.

March is National Music in our Schools Month. Thank you to all our music teachers and band directors who provide music education to our students.

March is National Youth Art Month. Thank you to all our art teachers who provide our students with an opportunity to learn about and cultivate the arts.