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@SujathaHampton has a conflict, so I will host this week's #FCPSschoolBoard thread.
The meeting has not yet begun. So hold tight. I wonder what is on the agenda today?
The meeting has not yet begun. So hold tight. I wonder what is on the agenda today?
Agenda items:
2.06 School Nutrition Employee Week
2.07 Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
2.09 Arab American Heritage Resolution
2.06 School Nutrition Employee Week
2.07 Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
2.09 Arab American Heritage Resolution
Then Public Input. 10 speakers and 3 videos.
Hold tight until the #FCPS @SchoolBoardThread begins.
Announcements by Nathan
--Teacher Appreciation Week May 3-7th (We love you, Teachers!!)
--National School Nurse Day on March (May?) 12th. (Who thinks we need more school nurses in our schools?
)
--Teacher Appreciation Week May 3-7th (We love you, Teachers!!)
--National School Nurse Day on March (May?) 12th. (Who thinks we need more school nurses in our schools?
)
Resolution celebrating School Nutrition Employee Week by Ms. Kaufax:
Celebrate Food Service Nutrition Team for their tireless work. They have really pulled out all of the stops for meals during COVID and have served 13 million meals served since March 2020.
Celebrate Food Service Nutrition Team for their tireless work. They have really pulled out all of the stops for meals during COVID and have served 13 million meals served since March 2020.
Children's Mental Health Awareness Day Resolution by Ms. Meren: Mental Health Professionals have worked hard at Identification, prevention, and support for student Mental Health. May 7th will be celebrated as National Mental Health Awareness day in FCPS.
Arab American Heritage Resolution by Ms. Sizemore-Heizer: The School Board joins the Arab America Foundation in celebrating April as 2021 National Arab American Heritage Month, in recognition of the many contributions Arab Americans have made to our society.
"We all have a heritage and we all belong here" declares Ms. Sizemore-Heizer
YES!!!!
YES!!!!
Ms. Omeish adds support to this resolution by reminding everyone of significant historical contributions by Arabs from around the world, including the Arabic-numeric system developed in 3000 BC and used by all of us today.
Wow, I did not know that Steve Jobs was Arab-American!
She says we all need to take positive steps forward to push back on prejudice and think about the unique ethnic identity of Arab-American which is often ignored.
She says we all need to take positive steps forward to push back on prejudice and think about the unique ethnic identity of Arab-American which is often ignored.
Ms. Sanders adds more history of Arab-American impact on our American history including a fighter in the Revolutionary War.
Sounds like Arab American history is American history!! I could not agree more.
Sounds like Arab American history is American history!! I could not agree more.
Ms. Meren added to all of these comments that we need to address bias, as well.
Public Input!
Speaker #1, Cathy Zhang:
She shared a March incident of an Asian teen who was harassed and assaulted at an FCPS school. AAPI youth have been impacted greatly by bias and hate. She asks that Asian-American history to be incorporated into American History in FCPS.
(Agreed!!)
She shared a March incident of an Asian teen who was harassed and assaulted at an FCPS school. AAPI youth have been impacted greatly by bias and hate. She asks that Asian-American history to be incorporated into American History in FCPS.
(Agreed!!)
This is so overdue!! I hope that FCPS will do this!
Speaker #2, Tom:
Asks for more protection for special ed students. He is disappointed services offered for his son's IEP during the pandemic. He has spoken on this subject before the SB and has spent significant effort to access special education services for his child.
Asks for more protection for special ed students. He is disappointed services offered for his son's IEP during the pandemic. He has spoken on this subject before the SB and has spent significant effort to access special education services for his child.
Speaker #3, Steve:
His wife was supposed to speak, so he apologizes for being less prepared than he'd like.
He recognizes how hard this process is to get kids back into school. He suggests that the board be open to other ideas, as well.
His wife was supposed to speak, so he apologizes for being less prepared than he'd like.
He recognizes how hard this process is to get kids back into school. He suggests that the board be open to other ideas, as well.
Speaker #4, Christine:
They are military and moved here recently--for the schools. She is severely disappointed with the schools and their COVID response. She is disappointed with the military advocacy and asks that FCPS works harder to coordinate with military families.
They are military and moved here recently--for the schools. She is severely disappointed with the schools and their COVID response. She is disappointed with the military advocacy and asks that FCPS works harder to coordinate with military families.
Speaker #5, Eiman:
She is a medical professional and says that mental health is an issue. She has found that academic achievement has often caused conflict in families and is worried that learning loss may contribute in the future. She shared personal stories.
She is a medical professional and says that mental health is an issue. She has found that academic achievement has often caused conflict in families and is worried that learning loss may contribute in the future. She shared personal stories.
She shares strong concerns about literacy methods used in FCPS right now.
Speaker #6, Vanessa:
Spoke about the impact of Special Education teachers on her daughters ability to read and write despite dyslexia. She asks that the Board support collective bargaining for teachers so that teachers can advocate for themselves and their teachers.
Spoke about the impact of Special Education teachers on her daughters ability to read and write despite dyslexia. She asks that the Board support collective bargaining for teachers so that teachers can advocate for themselves and their teachers.
Speaker #6, Kimberly:
The FEA president discusses the heavy impact of COVID on teachers. She shares that they also want in-person learning, but requests that hybrid and concurrent is not used next year; rather, that a robust virtual option is available for families that need it.
The FEA president discusses the heavy impact of COVID on teachers. She shares that they also want in-person learning, but requests that hybrid and concurrent is not used next year; rather, that a robust virtual option is available for families that need it.
She shares that the FEA want to work with the School Board to make the best education opportunities available to all students.
Speaker #7, Jenna:
She agrees with teachers & FEA that concurrent and hybrid education does not have the best educational outcomes and is exhausting for teachers. She appreciates the work of everyone to offer 4-day in-person to so many students, but wishes it was offered to all.
She agrees with teachers & FEA that concurrent and hybrid education does not have the best educational outcomes and is exhausting for teachers. She appreciates the work of everyone to offer 4-day in-person to so many students, but wishes it was offered to all.
Speaker #8, Nan:
She is disappointed that in-person is not available to all students. She cites SB and superintendent "lack of leadership" and "can't do attitude."
Woah, nelly! I will end there, b/c insults violate the SB speaking rules.
She is disappointed that in-person is not available to all students. She cites SB and superintendent "lack of leadership" and "can't do attitude."
Woah, nelly! I will end there, b/c insults violate the SB speaking rules.
Speaker #9, Bethany:
She understands virtual ed worked for some, but not for all. She wants FCPS to actively support Virtual Virginia for those students who need virtual. She lacks confidence that schools will open in-person next year, so they have enrolled in private.
She understands virtual ed worked for some, but not for all. She wants FCPS to actively support Virtual Virginia for those students who need virtual. She lacks confidence that schools will open in-person next year, so they have enrolled in private.
She adds concerns about Virginia Math Pathways.
Honestly, I'm concerned about this too. I want to look into it more thoroughly.
Honestly, I'm concerned about this too. I want to look into it more thoroughly.
Video #1, Robert Rigby of @FCPSPride
He shares the endemic bullying problem , especially of LGTBQIA students, despite many improvements implemented by FCPS.
He says that schools need to be welcoming to all. Stop bullying by celebrating communities and changing school culture.
He shares the endemic bullying problem , especially of LGTBQIA students, despite many improvements implemented by FCPS.
He says that schools need to be welcoming to all. Stop bullying by celebrating communities and changing school culture.
Video #2, Christy:
She thanks the schools and personnel that have opened for 4-days in person.
Then she goes on to insult the SB, among other things.
Again a violation of SB speaking rules. Nope.
She thanks the schools and personnel that have opened for 4-days in person.
Then she goes on to insult the SB, among other things.
Again a violation of SB speaking rules. Nope.
Video #3, Guadalupe:
She insists that the SB only (not COVID) is the reason schools didn't open.
She is barely walking the line of insulting the SB, so I am having trouble listening to her. I suspect the SB may feel the same, which is unfortunate because she has valid concerns.
She insists that the SB only (not COVID) is the reason schools didn't open.
She is barely walking the line of insulting the SB, so I am having trouble listening to her. I suspect the SB may feel the same, which is unfortunate because she has valid concerns.
Now, my FAVORITE PART!!!
Mr. Onabudo student representative matters!
Mr. Onabudo student representative matters!
He talks about hate and echoes the concerns of students who are imploring leadership to highlight the importance of minority students and educate away ignorance and hate.
He calls on all students to BE BETTER.
He calls on all students to BE BETTER.
"All words carry weight and power." Nathan urges that students reject the rhetoric of adults. "The way you speak and act impacts those around you whether or not you know it."
He says that we can work together to change that.
He says that we can work together to change that.
Student representative elections are occurring right now. <<Darn, my daughter asked if she can open the cookies and cream ice cream. So, I've missed my favorite part. Good thing that I love her.
I just wish she offered to get me some>>
I just wish she offered to get me some>>
He asks that the SB center student voice and experience will make successful outcomes for the student and the county.
Sloan Presidio complimented Nathan on his amazing work this year and suggests that he set a high bar that encouraged an outstanding 120 applicants for the student position so far.
Wow, @njonathan156
Wow, @njonathan156
Mr. Presidio is talking about the Application for Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) School Divisions of Innovation (SDI) Designation.
As important as this is, I will need to watch tomorrow. My daughter is asking for love and attention....
As important as this is, I will need to watch tomorrow. My daughter is asking for love and attention....
If anyone wants to add to this thread, please feel free. This looks like REALLY important stuff.
WAIT!!! I heard him say SOLs and standardized tests aren't the best way to assess learning.
YES YES YES YES!!!!
WAIT!!! I heard him say SOLs and standardized tests aren't the best way to assess learning.
YES YES YES YES!!!!
I will definitely need to watch this later....
Thanks for hanging in, and I wish you a happy Thursday night.
May your plants survive the low temps tonight.
Thanks for hanging in, and I wish you a happy Thursday night.
May your plants survive the low temps tonight.
