School Board: Equity, Reopening, Renaming

The Falls Church School Board met in its monthly Work Session. It focused on three topics: Equity work in FCCPS, Updates on Reopening Plans, and a status update on a Renaming Survey of George Mason High and Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools.

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  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion across FCCPS
    • Chief Academic Officer William Bates, Director of Equity and Excellence Jennifer Santiago, and members of the Mary Ellen Henderson and George Mason Social Justice Club, told the board how we develop and define equity at FCCPS. They also shared the student-initiated and led Equity work at both schools.
    • EQUITY PRESENTATION SLIDES
  • Update on School Reopening Plan 
    • The FCCPS COVID Metrics data points indicate the time has come to begin planning for a full reopening in a hybrid model.
    • On Friday, Dr. Noonan announced approximately 80 of our most impacted students would be phased back into the classroom during the first 2 weeks of October.
    • Last night, Dr. Noonan said the division is working on a plan where Elementary students would be the "Second Wave" of students to return in a phased-by-grade approach starting in November. The first to return, possibly the week after Election Day (exact day still fluid), would be Kindergarten and 3rd grade. After a successful return, they would then be followed by 1st and 4th grade, and then 2nd and 5th grade. The goal is to have all elementary students participating in a hybrid, 2-day-a-week in-person instruction model by the first part of December.
    • Dr. Noonan also recommended secondary students (Grades 6-12) enter the hybrid model at the start of the second semester after the new high school is complete. The reasons include the timing of the new high school's completion, the number of shared staff and students across both buildings, and the site's logistics due to construction.
    • All of this hinges on all COVID Metrics remaining in the Low to Moderate range.
    • REOPENING PRESENTATION SLIDES
  • Update on Public Input Process for Possible School Renaming
    • The Board asked staff to develop a presentation for its October 13th meeting detailing the estimated cost of a name change.  The information would be presented before the opening of a Survey of the Community on any renaming. 
    • Historical information on both Thomas Jefferson and George Mason is also being gathered to inform the decision.
    • A 'Town Hall' style meeting is being planned.