The Mustang Spirit
The Principal's Newsletter - December 18, 2020
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Have a wonderful winter break and happy holidays! See you in 2021 in our new building! From the Mustang Admin Team
Photo courtesy of Jessica Hollinger
Return to Learn Decision Verification Email
By tomorrow, all parents/guardians should have received an email from Assistant Principal Serensits confirming your family's choice of learning format (hybrid or all virtual) for your child/children when we reopen on January 12, 2021. Please check your email accounts including your Spam folder for this email.
The email verifies your choice:
Group A - All Virtual Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Group B - In person Tuesday and Wednesday (virtual Thursday and Friday)
Group C - In person Thursday and Friday (virtual Tuesday and Wednesday)
Group D (Not a possible choice) - In person Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (The students in this group have already been identified.)
If the information is correct, there is nothing further you need to do. If the information is incorrect, please reply to the email with the correct information.
We understand that some families may need to change their choice from hybrid to all virtual in the next two weeks. If this will apply to you, please send an email to reopening@fccps.org by Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
Pass/Fail Option Extended
This school year, we are extending the opportunity and deadline for parents/guardians to choose a Pass/Fail grading option for their child/children to March 25, 2021. Please find additional information in the document below.
Secondary Reopening Town Hall Parts 1 and 2
COVID-19 Update
Updated Guidance from the CDC, Virginia Department of Health, and the Fairfax County Health Department Regarding Quarantines
On December 2, 2020, the CDC updated quarantine guidance to include options to reduce the period of quarantine for contacts of persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection using symptom monitoring and diagnostic testing. CDC continues to recommend a 14-day quarantine period. However, the following options are acceptable alternatives when ample community testing is available:
Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and if no symptoms have developed; OR
Quarantine can end after Day 7 if a viral test (e.g., PCR or antigen test) performed on or after Day 5 is negative and if no symptoms have developed.
CDC based the updated quarantine guidance on information from household transmission studies and modeling on the residual post-quarantine transmission risk. The VDH adopted the CDC guidance with an effective date of Monday, December 7, 2020. Therefore:
People who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 should monitor for symptoms and follow all recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions (e.g., wear a mask, avoid crowds, follow social distancing, and wash hands frequently) for 14 days after the last exposure.
VDH and CDC still recommend that close contacts quarantine (stay home) for 14 days after their last exposure. This is the safest option. If people choose to end quarantine early, there are 2 options:
Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and if no symptoms have developed; OR
Quarantine can end after Day 7 if a viral test (e.g., PCR or antigen test) performed on or after Day 5 is negative and if no symptoms have developed.
FCCPS, the Fairfax Health Department, and VDH will update websites, infographics, and guidance documents as quickly as possible, but it will take some time. This updated information extends to when children should remain home from school or child care. Anyone who is exposed and directed to quarantine should follow this updated guidance and any directions provided by a public health official relative to their specific case. Please contact Rebecca Sharp (rsharp@fccps.org) or Kristen Michael (kmichael@fccps.org) with questions or for additional clarifications.
Senior Week Information for Parents of Seniors
Drivers Ed Information for Parents of Juniors and Seniors
The State-Required 90-Minute Driver Education program* will be available in Schoology from December 14-January 22. Go to your Counseling Class course, find the folder on the Materials page called "Required District Eight Presentation for Drivers Education" to find the video. The state requires that you and a parent or guardian watch together. The attendance form must be printed out, filled in, and returned to the high school. The form may be mailed to Coach Tony Green at 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043, or dropped off at the security desk in the new building during school days, or dropped off to Coach Green when we reopen.
* Watching the video, submitting the form, and completing a Drivers Ed course are necessary in order to obtain a Drivers Ed Certificate (DEC-1/pink card). This pink card is part of the driver's license application process. To request a student's DEC-1, please go to the Registrar's webpage on our website.
Legacy Grove Bricks
FCCPS 2021-22 Calendar
Let's Go Mustangs!
The Athletic Boosters sale of Spirit Wear helps their mission to support high school athletics, including the Bill Rose Athlete Assistance Fund, $10,000 in scholarships to be awarded later this school year, and providing new equipment like soccer lacrosse goals for the soon to be finished practice field. Share a gift this holiday season by ordering by TODAY, December 18 for out of town deliveries or by December 22 for local FCC deliveries.
Shop the Fan Shop here. Thank you in advance for your support!
Quick Links
Home of the Mustangs
Matt Hills
Principal
Email: HillsM@fccps.org
Website: gm.fccps.org
Location: 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA, USA
Phone: (703) 248-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fallschurchcitypublicschools
Twitter: @MasonMustangs