Newsletters

Tea Time: FCPS News for March 20-23, 2023

FCPS Mission & Vision workgroup concludes

Branding workgroup to begin

On Thursday, March 23rd, the FCPS Mission & Vision workgroup met for the last time.  We're grateful to this group of FCPS employees and community members who, over the last four months, engaged in critical conversations about our unique school division.  The final mission and vision statements will be shared at a later date. 

 

Would you like to join the Fredericksburg Community Public Schools Branding Workgroup? The first meeting will be held on Thursday, April 27, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Walker-Grant Center (210 Ferdinand Street, Fredericksburg).

 

Have questions?

Division contact: Katie Hornung, Communications Coordinator, mhornung@cityschools.com

JMHS seniors to participate in first Ceili Leahy Senior Day of Service

On April 20, 2023, JMHS seniors will start a new annual tradition.  In collaboration with John and Leslie Leahy, stewards of the Ceili Leahy Day of Service, CTE Coordinator Kristi Allison, English Department Head Joe Cralle, Director of Family & Community Engagement and Special Initiatives Sandy Gillenwater, Communications Coordinator Katie Hornung, and speaker Nick Cook have planned this civic service day to engage seniors with opportunities to give back to the Fredericksburg community.  

 

JMHS freshmen give back

As part of the JMHS Ceili Leahy Day of Service, freshmen Jackson Gravatt, Jack Schaffer, and Chris Stitt developed the plan to build a diaper cake. They worked with Costco staff to determine logistics in purchasing large amounts of diapers and wipes and assisted with identifying sponsors for the event. 

 

The diaper cake structure benefits The Fredericksburg Area Service League, who was an honorary entry this year, and the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, who has partnered since 2017 to distribute diapers and wipes to families in need. 

 

The cake was on display at the Spotsylvania Towne Center from Sunday, March 12 through Sunday, March 19th. 

 

Photographer Danielle Cate, Preschool Programs Operations Manager & School News Reporter

Preschool Penguins look forward to new playground equipment

Preschool Programs is excited to see some new additions in the works for the front playground and the outdoor classroom. They utilized their grant funds and donations/fundraising from Avery Ballet towards purchasing new playground equipment that is all inclusive with ramps, sensory items, and wheelchair accessibility. In the outdoor classroom, a shade structure is also being built to help during the warmer days when students are playing in the outdoor classroom and garden.

 

 

 

FCPS March Madness resumes tonight

Website Translation Tool

El Tech Tuesday de hoy se trata de cómo puede usar la herramienta de traducción en nuestro sitio web. ¡Este práctico botón traduce la gran mayoría del contenido de nuestro sitio al español, dari y pashto en un instante! El video de hoy presenta la versión en español del guía con la propia Ana Johnson de nuestro Centro de recursos de conexión que le muestra exactamente cómo hacerlo en español.

 

Today's Tech Tuesday is all about how you can use the translation tool on our website. This handy button translates the vast majority of the content on our site into Spanish, Dari, and Pashto in no time! Today's video introduces the Spanish version of the guide with Ana Johnson from our Connection Resource Center showing you exactly how to do it while speaking in Spanish.

 

JMHS Optimist Students of the Month 

JMHS students plant forage forest with FOR

Students from Ms. Morrison's and Mr. Hine's Environmental Science classes are helping Friends of the Rappahannock staff and volunteers to plant a riparian buffer of edible trees.  This will become a forage forest of fruits and nuts, which will provide a food source for wildlife.  The group worked hard and had so much fun.  On Tuesday, Dr. Catlett stopped by to plant a persimmon tree with some students. Adam Lynch, FOR River Steward, instructed her on the proper planting technique.  

 In the NEWS 

Summer Programs

Information is now available on the Parent/Guardian Resources webpage. 

Fine & Performing Arts

The FCPS Fine & Performing Arts Newsletter is back with their second installment.  Filled with good news and information on the upcoming Multicultural Fair, it's a great read for the whole family.

Kindergarten Registration

Register now to engage with FREE KinderCamp summer program.

Tea Time: FCPS News for March 2-8, 2023

14 DECA students score in top 8 of their events, move on 

Photographer Kristi Allison, CTE Coordinator

JMHS DECA had an incredible weekend with over 3,500 students at the Virginia DECA Competitive Events this weekend in Virginia Beach.  Sponsor Barbara Dyer said, "We are proud of how hard all 52 students prepared for their events and for the professionalism they displayed all weekend."  

✨FCPS' March Madness reunites the division at James Monroe High School

Thursday, March 8th's hot ticket was the return the division-wide basketball tournament, March Madness. It was the Preschool

Penguins and James Monroe Jackets vs. the Lafayette Lions. In an upset, the Lions won the game 52-20.  

Lions honored at VaBHMA event in norther Virginia 

On February 25th, Lafayette Elementary School 2023 finalists of the Virginia Black History Month Awards, Children's Writing Contest were celebrated. The fifth graders were honored at the 23rd Annual Virginia Black History Month Gala held in Alexandria. Taneisha Savage won first place, and Jaiden Hall and Michelle Mickson-Yeboah were top finalists. This annual contest is open to all fifth graders in any Virginia public school. We are so very proud of our talented young writers and expect more greatness in their futures!

Superior Ratings for James Monroe Choir groups

The James Monroe Choir Department traveled on March 6th to their State Choir Assessment.  All three of the choirs, Men's Choir, Women's Choir, and Monroe Singers, earned a Superior rating from the adjudicators.  Fine Arts Coordinator and choir teacher Heidi Ribel said, "We are so proud of them!"

LES 3rd Grade science experiment

Simple machines are useful and fun! The third graders at Lafayette Elementary were able to see some in action:  a wedge was used to shape clay dough, a lever and fulcrum were used to balance books, and both fixed and movable pulleys were used to show easier ways to move weights. The students ended the lesson by making their own awesome wheel and axle examples.

FCPS March Madness resumes after break

Tech Tuesdays

releases new tutorial

This Tech Tuesday is all about our mobile app. See our news feed on the go, access our staff directory, check the calendar for events, and more!

We hope this week's video makes navigating our app easier.

Shamrock Shuffle

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia.

Tigers are actively preparing for SOLs

Everyone at Walker-Grant MS is working hard to prepare for the upcoming SOLs! Students in Mrs. Poudrier’s English class were recently spotted working together to review figurative language. Keep up the great work Tigers! 

New School News Reporter

Megan Dougherty

 

The known Preschool Penguin has joined the ranks of the Jacket elite as their new school news reporter, Dougherty will cover after-school events and receive submissions from faculty and staff for events that occur during the day.  Have some good news to share with her, email mdougherty@cityschools.com.

 

Welcome to the team!

Tea Time: FCPS News for March 2-8, 2023

 In the NEWS 

Videos celebrate teams

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia.

March Board Meeting

The March 6th meeting had many celebrations.  Did you miss the broadcast?

Kindergarten Registration

Register now to engage with FREE KinderCamp summer program

FCPS offers Employee Referral Program incentives.

The employee referral program is a way for Fredericksburg City Public Schools to recruit talented teachers and to encourage and reward our existing employees for serving as ambassadors for FCPS by actively supporting our recruitment efforts.

School Board members participate in Read Across America

Mrs. Katie Pomeroy visited Hugh Mercer teacher Mrs. Geukgeuzian's kindergarten class to read a book. Mrs. Jannan Holmes visited kindergarten teacher Mrs. Dawn Anderson's class.

FCPS partner donates for student achievement, SOL preparation fund 

On Monday, March 6th, Shiloh Baptist (New Site) donated $800.00 toward the purchasing of SOL test study materials for students.  We are tremendously grateful to them and to our community partners who continue to put FCPS student achievement on their priority list.

Tea Time: FCPS News for Feb. 23 - March 2, 2023

FXBG Parks & Rec educates RISE students on the watershed

Ms. Callie Brown with the Parks and Recreation team partnered with the middle school RISE program to teach students about the wetlands.  In the coming weeks they will visit a wetland, make observations, research wetlands, then make and implement a plan to improve them. This amazing experiential activity would not have been possible without our wonderful partners at Parks and Recreation! 

— Photography Anne-Marie Eberhardt, Coordinator of Alternative Education

Talent Show reveals JMHS students' creativity

James Monroe hosted its 2023 talent show, and students brought their best this year. Viewers were treated to a variety of performances, like dance, musicals, and comedy. The fundraiser contributed to junior and senior prom decorations. A big congratulations goes to Talent Show winner Gannon Britt, who took home first place with his rendition of Frank Sinatra's "My Way", and to all our participants. Thank you to everyone who donated as well. 

— Photography JMHS Yearbook Staff

Preschool Penguins engage in family drum circle

FCPS Preschool Programs hosted their family night drum circle on March 1, 2023.  Families had the chance to learn some drumming skills with Ken Crampton's Eyeclopes/Everybody Drum company.  Families then enjoyed a dinner together with their child's teacher. 

HMES students learn about

Afro-Latinos

Students celebrated Black History Month in World Language on Friday, February 24th. They learned about Afro-Latinos like Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, and they danced, too.

Overcoming Obstacles and Read-In Chain

at JMHS

On February 28th, Xavier Richardson hosted the first "Overcoming Obstacles" event which featured a Q & A-style format.

— Photographer Alice Cobey 

MWEE Grant provides hands-on experiences

for science classes

Staff from Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) visited James Monroe environmental science classrooms to instruct on water filtration and sediment levels. 

— Photographer Jeff Good

Tech Tuesday

releases new tutorials

This week's Tech Tuesday is all about our attendance notes form where you can submit notes for your student's absence. Take a look!

James Monroe Students Visit Costco

On February 23, Ms. Loehr's class visited the local Costco in order to get hands-on work experience. Students toured the store, had a chance to help decorate cupcakes, and ended the day with a catered meal and gift bags provided by Costco. 

CTE Month Celebrates Students

The Career & Technical Education program at James Monroe High School is rooted in achieving student success. During CTE Month, James Monroe students were highlighted on social media for their contributions and talents.  They are well on their way to being career ready.

Malia Abell

A shining star in her Entrepreneurship and Social Media Marketing classes at JMHS, Malia is intelligent, hardworking, and a true leader. She takes the initiative to get things done and is not afraid to work hard for all the goals she sets for herself. She serves on the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce Youth Advisory Board, is in the Gladys P. Todd Academy at Germanna Community College, and is Vice President of JMHS DECA!   

Ty McDonald

Ty is a junior who is enrolled in Business Law and does extremely well in class. He is a very reliable and responsible young man who shows compassion for others. With plans to study computer science in college, his dream job is to become a computer programmer or a game designer. Some of Ty’s accomplishments include coding his own computer game and being named student of the year in chemistry and electronics. 

Keila Berrios Ramirez

 An exceptional student in her Cosmetology class at JMHS, Keila practices professionalism, works with varied textures of hair, and is a haircut connoisseur.  She serves as a Student Ambassador and has maintained honor roll throughout her junior year.  Having the knowledge and ability to reach multilingual clients will truly set her apart from others and help her reach her future goals. 

Camden Lapp

Representing the Veterinary Science class, Camden is an all- around expert in many types of animals. She always approaches tasks with enthusiasm and vigor- whether it is a vet science topic or the care of our classroom pets. She frequently checks on the animals and patrols their care in class. Camden is already working in the animal field in a reptile store and represents JMHS CTE very well!  

Goodwill partnerswith CTE for Externship experiences

On Monday, February 27th, Emoni Childs and Heavenlyn Diogo-Crews began their weeklong externship with Goodwill Industries. They arrived at Goodwill at 9:00 AM and worked until 5:00 PM each day. They learned all aspects of Goodwill business.  This is CTE's first recognized High Quality Work-Based Learning Externship. CTE Coordinator Kristi Allison said, "We are so fortunate to have this partnership with Goodwill and look forward to providing many more opportunities for our students in the future!" 

Photographer - Kristi Allison

Mentees & Mentors recognized on FCPS social media sites

Are you following us on social media yet?  @Fredschools is our handle on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. If you're not, you may have missed that Human Resources continually recognizes outstanding FCPS mentees and their mentors.  

 

What else can you find on our socials?  Try "Faces of FCPS", a weekly installment highlighting some of the hardest working (behind the scenes) folks in the division.  Do you have someone you feel should be highlighted for their continued dedication and work?  Email Tiffany Holmes, FCPS PR Specialist, at tholmes@cityschools.com

 In the FCPS NEWS 

FCPS March Madness

It's almost here!  Check out the link for a reminder on the details for FCPS' version of March Madness. 

JMHS Glow Dance is back

The Glow Dance is back!  The SCA is again ready to host this popular tradition. Have questions? Reach out to the JMHS main office for details.

Shamrockin' Around at LES

Shamrock Shuffles and Grams, oh my!  Contact the LES main office to learn more or send your favorite Lion a little lucky love.

FCPS Career Fair: Love kids? Connect with us

March 9th, from 4-6 PM, connect with division leaders and learn more about how we support kids.  Psst... pass the word along.

FXBG Civil Rights trail unveiling at UMW

Read about the event from the University of Mary Washington's news page.

Photographer- Suzanne Rossi

Refer a friend and benefit

The employee referral program is a way for Fredericksburg City Public Schools to recruit talented teachers and to encourage and reward our existing employees for serving as ambassadors for FCPS by actively supporting our recruitment efforts. 

SEAC meeting date announced for March

FCPS' Special Education Advisory Meeting (SEAC) is scheduled for Tuesday, March 7, from 5- 6:30 PM.  It will be held on Zoom.  Find the link by clicking on the button below. 

VSBA School Board Appreciation Month 

Have you ever wondered what a school board is- or how much they make?  You're not alone.  FCPS students muse on these important questions and more.