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Nominate an Outstanding Key Center Employee
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Key Center School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories, please complete the nomination through Google link for each category found below. You may nominate one or more employees at Key Center (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category. Outstanding Teacher nomination form.
Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category. Outstanding New Teacher nomination form
Outstanding Principal
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district). Outstanding Principal nomination form
Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal):
Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services. Outstanding Leader nomination form
Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership
Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school. Outstanding Professional Employee nomination form
Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons. Outstanding Operational Employee nomination form
**The deadline to submit a nomination is November 6, 2023**
If you have any questions about the process or what category your exceptional employee is in, please contact Ann, Emily or Helly Ahmadyar at [email protected]
Calendar Reminder, Nov 3, 6, 7 and Update for March 5
All FCPS schools have a 2 Hour Early Release Day Friday, November 3rd for the End of 1st Quarter progress report work. Dismissal is at 11:50am for students. On Monday, November 6, schools are closed for students as staff engage in a school planning day and Tuesday, November 7, schools are closed for students due to the teacher workday.
Calendar Update for March 5 Presidential PrimaryThe Fairfax Board of Elections has requested that schools be closed on Tuesday, March 5, to accommodate the administration of the 2024 presidential primary election.
March 5 will be a school holiday for students and a virtual School Planning Day. Central offices and school offices will remain open. SACC will remain open, as it does on other professional work days.
Federal Impact Aid Survey is Now Available
Starting on Monday October 16, families can complete the Impact Aid Survey online using their ParentVue accounts. Learn more about creating a ParentVue account.
If you are unable to complete the survey online, your student will receive the Federal Impact Aid Survey in their backpacks on November 1st.
This is a mandatory survey that gets filled each year to help the county collect additional tax monies due to military presence in our area. For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school by November 14th.
If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the box in Section 3 and sign/date at the bottom of the form. Please return the form in your child’s backpack. All results are confidential.
Returning this survey is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
Student Attendance
We love having our students at school and hope to see them every day! We understand, however, that there will be times when illness or other circumstances require an absence. When this is the case, it is critical that families reach out to notify us regarding the absence. We are hoping to decrease unexcused absences this year. Please make medical and dental appointments in the late afternoon so your child can attend as much of the school day as possible.
You can help by making sure that our office is made aware of the reason for your student’s absence. In order to excuse an absence and avoid an attendance call, notification of student absence should take place by 9:00am.
Below are the 3 options by which to notify the school office (choose one option):
Please do this in addition to contacting your child's teacher. There could be times when the teacher is absent and, by also contacting the office, the information will be properly noted.
In the event that your child needs to be picked up unexpectedly, please call the office (703-313-4000) in advance of your arrival. This allows the office to contact your student's teacher to prepare your student for departure.
Friday, October 27th is World Occupational Therapy Appreciation Day
On World Occupational Therapy Appreciation Day, we want to express our gratitude and appreciation for the dedicated and compassionate Occupational Therapists (OTs) who make a significant difference in the lives of our students and their families. Occupational therapy is a profession that focuses upon enabling people to live life to its fullest, regardless of their age, abilities. World Occupational Therapy Appreciation Day is a time to recognize and honor OTs for their compassion, empathy, and the life-changing work they do every day. We appreciate our amazing OTs, Kristen Miller and Vivian Swingle, for their dedication to Key Center students. Your work is invaluable, and you truly make our school a better place.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - October 28, 2023, 10AM to 2PM
Drop off unused or expired medications at a collection site near you.
Disposal is FREE, convenient, confidential, and safe. Safe handling of unused or expired medications protects the environment, prevents drug misuse and prevents accidental poisoning.
Learn more about year-round prescription and over the counter medication disposal, including those prescribed by veterinarians at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/drug-disposal.
Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference 2023
Fairfax County Public Schools will host the 2023 Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference. The RATE Conference is an educational technology conference focusing on the use of assistive technology to support all students, especially those with special needs. The 2023 RATE Conference is sponsored by Assistive Technology Services (ATS), part of the Office of Special Education Instruction in the Department of Special Services.
All FCPS educators, staff, parents, and community members are invited to attend. Out of county teachers and support staff are also welcome. FCPS staff will receive five recertification points for attending the conference.
Register for the RATE Conference here.
The Virginia Family’s Guide to Special Education, May 2023
(Available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Amharic, Urdu, & Vietnamese) Virginia Department of Education, VDOE
This publication is a revision of the former A Parent’s Guide to Special Education that was originally published in 2010.
This new state guide was developed by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to help those involved in special education, whether as families, teachers or school administrators, advocates, or students. Meeting the needs of children with disabilities requires an understanding of rights and responsibilities which include the child’s rights, and the school’s responsibilities to meet their needs. This guide includes a description of the special education process and what is required during each step of that process. Important timelines are highlighted throughout.
Access The Virginia Family’s Guide to Special Education
Trash or Treasure- Save Those Candy Wrappers!
You don’t have to trash those candy wrappers and doom them for an eternity in a landfill- or, even worse, our oceans. By putting your wrappers in a custom candy wrapper recycling box, you can keep our planet clean and contribute to the circular economy.
Key Center is participating in the Trash or Treasure recycling program. Staff and families are invited to send in candy wrappers to school. Students from our vocational program will collect the wrappers from classrooms and add them to the collection box for recycling. Please check your student’s backpack for a collection bag. Simply add candy wrappers over the next couple of weeks and return the bag to school. Wrappers returned to Key Center by November 9, 2022 will be sent to Trash or Treasure for recycling. Thank you for helping to make Halloween sweet and sustainable!
Learn more about this program on the Trash or Treasure website.
Join Us for the Polar Plunge!
The Key Center community is invited to join our team in GOING FOR THE COLD to benefit Virginia Special Olympics and Key Center School. Our team will be participating in the Mosaic Polar Plunge on January 20th, 2024. We are inviting Key Center staff, families, and community partners to join the Key Center Rockets Polar Plunge Team!
Got cold feet? If you don’t want to join in the fun with our team, please consider sponsoring one of our team members at the team link above- thanks!❄️🧊🚀
Lifetouch Picture Day is Coming Soon - November 8th
Picture Day is on Wednesday November 8th! Check your student’s backpack for a flier coming home soon!
Reading Buddies Collaboration with Key Middle School
Key Center students from Ms. Ganley and Ms. Edmondson’s classes have begun participating in a Reading Buddies program with Key Middle School. The students from Mrs. Larrick’s Key Middle School ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) class get practice reading, while our students enjoy a trip to the library and friendly interactions with middle school students. Thanks to our librarian, Monisha Blair, for coordinating this wonderful program!
Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair
Thursday, November 9, 2023, Annandale High School -- 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
This event is designed for students with more significant disabilities and their families to meet with adult agency and vendor representatives to gather information about available services for adults in need of ongoing support once they transition from FCPS. Agency and vendor representatives will be available to share information on adult service providers, employment and training programs, residential options, leisure activities, and self-advocacy during this exhibitor fair.
Key Center PTA
Not yet a member of our PTA? We would love to have you join!
Key Center PTA Membership
Key Center PTA Donations
Key Center PTA Volunteer Opportunities
Any questions regarding involvement, please contact PTA President, Cecilia Allen, at [email protected] or (301) 646-7447.
Upcoming Dates
October 23-27 Homecoming Week
November 3 End of 1st Quarter - 2 hour Early Release - 11:50am
November 6 School Planning Day - Student Holiday
November 7 Teacher Work Day - Student Holiday
November 22-24 Thanksgiving Break - Holiday
2023-24 FCPS School Calendar
6404 Franconia Road Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703-313-4000
Attendance: 703-313-4000 | Web | Facebook
