Fairfax County Public Schools

Published March 1, 2022 at 1:30PM

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (via Google Maps)

A federal judge’s ruling that recent changes to the admissions process for Fairfax County Public Schools’ prestigious magnet school were discriminatory has inspired both praise and condemnation.

As first reported by The Washington Post, U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton issued an opinion on Friday (Feb. 25) finding that the elimination of a standardized test and other alterations to how students are admitted into Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ) were made “to the detriment of Asian-Americans.”

Countywide

Morning Notes

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 1, 2022 at 7:30AM

A Metro rider uses an updated fare gate at the Vienna Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Reminder: Old Metro Cards Stop Working Today — “SmarTrip cards purchased before 2012 are no longer compatible with new, faster, modern faregates already installed in many stations. In an announcement more than 10 months ago, Metro advised customers that the old cards would need to be replaced as stations are equipped with new faregates.” [WMATA]

County Circuit Court Ends Mask Requirement — Fairfax County Circuit Court Chief Judge Penny Azcarate announced yesterday (Monday) that masks will be optional to enter the Courthouse effective immediately in accordance with the county’s new policy. Rules in courtrooms “are at the discretion of the presiding judge.” [Circuit Court]

Countywide

Morning Notes

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 28, 2022 at 7:30AM

Angelika Film Center and Cafe in the Mosaic District (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

FCPS Will Start COVID-19 Rollback Plan Tomorrow — Masks will be optional for both students and adults, including staff and parents, in Fairfax County Public Schools after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its health metrics so that the county is now considered to have low transmission. FCPS said on Friday (Feb. 25) that masks would be optional for students, as ordered by a state law, but still mandatory for adults. [FCPS]

Judge Calls TJ Admissions Discriminatory — The Coalition for TJ on Friday (Feb. 25) won its lawsuit against the Fairfax County School Board over changes to admissions process for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. The judge found that the shift from a standardized test to “experience” factors was done in a way discriminatory to Asian applicants. The school system intends to appeal. [The Washington Post]

Countywide

JUST IN: Masks will be optional for FCPS students starting Tuesday

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 25, 2022 at 12:00PM

Irving Middle School students wear face masks in class (via FCPS)

Fairfax County Public Schools will comply with the new Virginia law prohibiting local school boards from enforcing universal mask requirements.

Face masks will be optional on school property for students starting Tuesday (March 1), Superintendent Scott Brabrand confirmed today (Friday) in a message to families.

Countywide

Advocates press for safe school route funding to continue amid uncertainty

By David Taube

Published February 24, 2022 at 3:55PM | Updated February 25, 2022 at 11:43AM

A FCPS video shows how Safe Routes to School programming helps students' commutes to and from schools (via FCPS)

Transit groups worry funding could end for the region’s Safe Routes to School programming, which helps students walk and bike to and from schools safely.

Federal money passes through the Virginia Department of Transportation to school districts such as Fairfax County Public Schools that apply for the funding. But the district didn’t apply for funding for the upcoming school year, as it has for nearly a decade, according to the district.

Countywide

BREAKING: Court dismisses recall petition against Springfield school board member

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 23, 2022 at 12:30PM

Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A second attempt to recall a Fairfax County School Board member has ground to a halt.

Springfield District Representative Laura Jane Cohen announced in a statement that the Fairfax County Circuit Court issued an order today (Wednesday) dismissing a petition seeking her removal from office.

News

FCPS keeps universal masking for now, but acknowledges state law allowing opt-outs

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 18, 2022 at 1:45PM

Irving Middle School students wear face masks in class (via FCPS)

Face masks will still be required in Fairfax County Public Schools when students return on Tuesday (Feb. 22).

However, the school system acknowledged in a message to the community today (Friday) that universal masking may come to an end soon. Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed Senate Bill 739 into law on Wednesday (Feb. 16), allowing parents to opt their children out of school mask mandates starting March 1.

Opinion

Poll: When should masks be optional in schools?

By Brandi Bottalico

Published February 17, 2022 at 9:30AM

Gov. Glenn Youngkin signs S.B. 739, letting parents opt their children out of local school mask mandates (via Governor of Virginia/Facebook Live)

Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a bill yesterday (Wednesday) making masks optional in schools by March 1.

Fairfax County and other Northern Virginia school systems have continued to require students to wear masks, even after Youngkin issued an executive order that gave parents the choice whether their children wore a mask.

News

Fairfax County School Board hopes to address capacity issues with $1.2 billion capital improvement plan

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 16, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated February 25, 2022 at 11:44AM

Fairfax County Public Schools (file photo)

The Fairfax County School Board unanimously approved its $1.2 billion capital project plan on Thursday (Feb. 10), setting in motion efforts to tackle overcrowding issues in the school system.

The plan, known as the Capital Improvement Program for fiscal years 2023-2027, sets priorities within a five-year time frame for new construction, boosting capacity and facility renovations.

News

FCPS maintains support for mask mandate as tide turns in Virginia Senate

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 9, 2022 at 2:00PM | Updated February 25, 2022 at 11:45AM

A sign indicating that a face mask should be worn (via Waldemar Brandt/Unsplash)

Updated at 2:20 p.m. — Senate Bill 739 passed 21-17, with Fairfax County Sens. Janet Howell, Dick Saslaw, and Scott Surovell joining the opponents after supporting the amendment to allow parents to opt out of school mask requirements yesterday.

Earlier: Fairfax County Public Schools’ universal masking policy has encountered pushback from an unexpected source: its own state legislators.