In this OUT OF CYCLE issue:
COVID Update
FCCPS COVID by the Numbers
Dear FCCPS Families,
At today’s weekly call between FCCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department (our health district partner), they confirmed that we are in a rapid growth phase of COVID. This week FCCPS had the highest number of positive cases in a single day, and the spike in our system is troubling. The Health Department thinks that we are two weeks away from the peak of this wave, and between now and then we will see more cases. I suspect this is as frustrating for you as families as it is for the schools. We’ve all had experiences that remind us of pre-COVID times and it is blissful - HTG Games, Prom, Celebration of Excellence, etc.
A request for families: Please keep students home when they are sick and consider taking all mitigation measures available. This includes remaining home until symptoms have resolved. As a school, we will continue to offer testing, deep clean, disinfect, and provide opportunities for students to spread out. The “good news” is that the Health Department is characterizing this variant as mild (with some exceptions, of course) and impacting children more than adults. While it is more infectious, hospitalizations are very rare.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we continue to fight this variant.
Have a great weekend!
Peter Peter J. Noonan, EdD
Superintendent
#BetterTogether #WeAreIB #IBforAll
COVID Reminders & Information
Falls Church Covid Status –MEDIUM
FCCPS follows the CDC Guidelines based on community transmission levels and information available in our FCCPS Pandemic/Communicable Disease Response Matrix for daily operations.
Symptomatic Students/Staff
Any student/staff member who is displaying COVID-like symptoms should not attend school/work until symptoms are almost completely resolved (including being fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication), AND,
They provide a negative COVID test (lab, proctored, or home tests are accepted) OR an alternate diagnosis or clearance from a medical professional.
Adjustments will be made for students with known health conditions based on the guidance of our nursing staff.
BinaxNow Rapid Testing
Proctored rapid tests are available in each school health clinic.
Please contact the School Health Aide or go to the health clinic to get a rapid test.
All BinaxNow tests are proctored tests. Users must set up a Navica account and visit http://virginia.emed.com/ to begin the “test for school” process. FCCPS BinaxNow Tip Sheet.pdf
Each school health clinic has an iPad to help support testing. Parents (not school staff) must administer the test to their students. FCCPS BinaxNow Tip Sheet.pdf
PCR Testing
Free PCR testing is available to students and staff every Tuesday and Thursday.
To join, register here! It only takes a minute and continues to be an essential part of our Covid-19 mitigation strategy.
FCCPS COVID By The Numbers
Weekly updates to the data below ensure that all community members are informed about positive cases and testing.
Data: | Number Positive of Cases for Weeks 37 | Cumulative Since August 1 |
# of Student Cases: | 37 | 530 |
# of Staff Cases | 7 | 115 |
# of Students in Quarantine as a Close Contact | 0 | 208 |
FCCPS Rate of Transmission | MEDIUM for Falls Church City MEDIUM for Fairfax Health District | |
Please note that this data is just a snapshot of FCCPS in total and is adjusted based on the outcomes of each contact tracing investigation.
All FCCPS positive cases are included regardless of source. These data include parent/staff reports, ViSSTA results, HD notifications, and healthcare providers.
ViSSTA Testing Data Weeks of | Number Tested | # Positive |
Week of May 2-5 Tuesday Thursday Week of May 9-13 Tuesday Thursday |
237 241 238 285 |
4 3 8 TBD |
Important COVID Links for Parents:
Important Mental Health Resources for Families:
Call 911 should you need immediate support in a life-threatening situation.
CrisisLink Regional Hotline: 703-527-4077 CrisisText: Text HOME to 741741
Mobile Crisis Unit: 703-573-5679
Merrifield Center Emergency Services: 703-573-5679
National Hope Line: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
LGBTQ Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357)