Freshman & MVHS New Student Orientation – August 17, 2023 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

This is available to all freshmen, and optional for students new to MVHS.  Students will tour the building and learn about the school as well as explore opportunities to get involved.  

“Majors Gear Up” (Open House)  – August 17, 2023  (4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.)   

Families will make connections with resources in our community, learn about new technology, join our PTSA, pick up laptops and schedules and have an opportunity to receive school supplies.  

First Day of School - August 21, 2023

 

Back to School Night (BTSN) and Pyramid Night Football Game – September 8, 2023

BTSN - 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. / Football Game - Kickoff at 7:30 p.m.  

This event will provide an opportunity for families to meet teachers, learn about the curriculum and classroom procedures.  Immediately following BTSN, we invite everyone to join us for our Pyramid Night Football Game against Friendship. There will be food, fun, games, and music. We hope you will join us!

Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.
 

• Days marked with blue Hs are student holidays. 
• Days marked with orange Os are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked). 
• Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Office of Transportation Services (OTS) plans to use all available resources to deliver students to and from school safely and on-time. Double backs will be scheduled where needed. Double backs are when a driver delivers one group of students to school and returns to take a second group. This process is followed in the afternoon for the trip home as well. Through your SIS ParentVue account, you can see your child’s transportation assignments and intent on the “Student Info” tab. Transportation assignments for the first day of school, August 21, 2023, will become available on August 10, 2023, and changes may be made up to August 16, 2023.

All parents should access their SIS ParentVue account, to ensure the Transportation Intent for each student is accurate. All parents/guardians should have received an eNotify email message directly from Transportation on August 4, 2023.  That email provided details on the transportation intent process for families.  If adjustments are needed, click on “Edit Information” to make changes to your Transportation Intent. 

All students eligible for transportation services will be provided transportation unless the parent has stated ‘NO’ to the Transportation Intent.

Please contact the transportation office or the MVHS Main Office if you have any questions about accessing your student information.

The MVHS cafeteria will sell breakfast and lunch daily.  If your student plans on purchasing food through the cafeteria, please be sure to load money on their meal account or bring cash.  More information on FCPS Food Services (including payment options for meal accounts, daily menus, free and reduced meal programs, etc.) can be reviewed on the FCPS website. 

🍎 Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications Available

According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost. 

Families in FCPS that are earning less than 185% of the poverty level can receive meals for their students at no cost. Families should complete the application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits. 

Apply on the Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage.

The FCPSOn initiative at Mount Vernon High School provides students with equitable access to meaningful learning experiences and technology to support their learning. FCPS is changing its high school and secondary student devices to Chromebooks. This device will continue to enable students to use web-based tools like Schoology, Google Workspace, and online textbooks. Students will receive a device within the first weeks of school.

If you would prefer that your student bring their own device (BYOD), they need to make sure it meets FCPS’ minimum requirements. Students who use their own device will not receive an FCPS device. Our school tech team will make sure that students have access to an FCPS device for important tests, such as SOLs. FCPS strives to be financially and environmentally responsible. Students who do not use their FCPS device regularly will be asked to return it. 

Chromebooks will be distributed during Majors Gear Up, Freshmen and New Student Orientation, and during the first week of school outside of the cafeteria during all lunches.

Schedules and the Schedule Change Process 

Beginning Thursday, August 17, 2023 all students and parents will have access to class schedules in SIS via StudentVUE and ParentVUE.  SIS (Student Information System) is the application that gives families access to attendance, class performance, and demographic data.  Please reach out to Student Services for support with getting your SIS Parent account. 

Prior to the first day of school, school counselors may be in contact with students regarding potential scheduling conflicts between now and the start of school.  Counselors will also be available in G100 the first week of school 8/21 - 8/25 to correct errors such as missing courses, incomplete schedules and to support students with requests such as an increased rigor. 

Our school counselors are working hard to register new families, support our seniors with college applications and correct scheduling errors.  Therefore, during the first few days of school, counselors will only meet with students who have a scheduling error.   

Specific teacher requests or requests for a different teacher are not permitted.  Students who wish to make an elective change because they are no longer interested in that elective may make those requests during our elective change window.  Our elective change window is August 24th - August 31st.  

Timeline for Schedule Change Requests

• August 17 - 24: Schedules will be adjusted if there is a school error or request for an increase in rigor.
• August 24 - August 31: School counselors will make requested elective changes based on space availability. 
• October 1: Requests to drop an honors or IB course can begin. Students will need to see their school counselor and complete the form with permission from parent, student, teacher, school counselor, and administrator. If approved by the administration, schedule changes will only be processed if there is space available.Requests are reviewed by the administration.
• October 30 - November 13 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes during this period. 
• November 13: Any student requesting a schedule change will need to fill out the schedule change request form, with permission from parent, student, teacher, school counselor, and administrator. If approved by the administration, schedule changes will only be processed if there is space available.

March 22:  No more schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date marks the end of the 3rd quarter.

On Thursday, October 5, NBC4 aired a story regarding food deliveries to students during the school day.  The driver in the story shared that he often gets requests to leave orders at side doors which poses security concerns.  This often occurs at MVHS. 

Please remind your students that they may not have food delivered to schools by delivery drivers. Students will often have these drivers deliver food to an entrance other than Door 1, and that compromises the safety of the entire school. Students who continue to have food delivered will have it confiscated and be subject to disciplinary consequences.   Parents are welcome to drop off food and leave it in the main office for students to pick up. Please review this information with your child.

MVHS Majors have an eight period schedule that alternates between even and odd days. On odd days, students will attend periods 1, 3, 5, and 7. On even days, students will attend periods 2, 4, 6, and 8. Period 3, also identified as "Learning Seminar" on student schedules, is commonly known as our Major Time period. 

Major Time provides students with a "home base/homeroom" where they can learn about school events, connect with their advisors, build relationships with peers, and practice vital life skills, including social-emotional learning. Teachers implement “Major Time Lessons” during the first part of the period which are focused on social and emotional wellness.  Students also receive enrichment and/or remediation with different teachers based on their needs.  Finally, we periodically use this time for assemblies, pep rallies, Activity Days, Award Ceremonies, Class Meetings and Wellness Day activities.

The goal of the MVHS Health Room is to ensure that your child will enjoy a healthy and safe school year. To proactively plan, we ask that parents update the Emergency Care Form through SIS ParentVUE; there is a section for “Current Health Conditions” and “Current Medical Care Details” that will update the health information for the student. 

If you need to drop off medication for your student, please fill out a new medication authorization form.  This is required to be filled out annually.  

Medication can be dropped off at school Tuesday August 15 through Friday August 18 from 9am-4 pm.  Once school begins, medication can be dropped off any school day from 8am-3pm. Please read below for the updated medication guidelines that specify the amount and method of medication that can be dropped off. 

If medication is needed at school or for any after FCPS sponsored activity (field trips, sports, band, drama, chorus, etc.), specific guidelines in accordance with the FCPS Medication Administration Regulation 2102 must be followed. A Medication Authorization form MUST be on file in the Health Room for any medication administered at school OR carried by student. Forms (for epinephrine, inhalers and medications) are available in the School Health Room or online.

Medication Guidelines

To help ensure the safety of our medication administration management in Fairfax County Public Schools we will adhere to these guidelines:

• Any time you drop off or pick up a medication in the health room, a Medication Delivery/Pick Up Form will be completed and signed by both the parent/guardian and the School Health Aide or FCPS staff member. This form will document that all required authorizations are complete, and the number of pills or amount of medication accepted/returned. A copy of the form will be given to the parent/guardian and school administrator.
• Medications received will be verified to ensure the description of the medication on the container/packaging matches the medication in the container.
• All medications must be in the original pharmacy container. Over the counter (OTC) medications must be in an unopened original container. It will no longer be acceptable for parents/guardians to bring in refills from home and place them into the container currently in the health room.
• Only a 30-day supply of medications should be brought to school. No more than 25 tablets or pills of OTC medication should be brought to school.

• Locker Request form - MVHS does not automatically assign lockers to all students* for the  school year.  If you would like your child to be assigned a locker, please complete the form below, and your subschool will assign a locker and provide the combination for the lock.  NOTE: *Students enrolled in our Comprehensive Services Site (CSS) will be assigned lockers.

• Please remember that all items in lockers are your child's responsibility; locker combinations should not be given to another student and lockers should not be shared with other students.

• Free and Reduced Lunch Application (Form is electronic only – cannot be printed and signed) and Consent to Share Information Form 

• Scoliosis Fact Sheet 

• Homeless Student Referral Form - Only returned for students who are homeless 

Clinic Health forms (if applicable to your child) 

• Medication Authorization Form – Request personnel to administer medication to your child during the school day.

• Student Use of Inhalers Form – Authorize your child to use an inhaler in school as prescribed. (no current form available; please watch for updates)

• Student Use of Epi-Pen Form – Authorize FCPS personnel to administer epinephrine injection(s) as directed by a physician. 

Parent Information regarding Student Opt-Out Rights and Choices (if applicable to your child) 

• Wellness Survey opt-out form – 9^th and 11th grades only; this opt out is for parents who do not wish for their child to participate in the SOS program. 

• FLE Opt-Out - to opt child out of all or some of the Family Life Education lessons (form specific to grade level)

• Opt out (Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms) – Opt-out choices related to surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights. One Page Flyer 

• FCPS-issued Laptop Opt-Out Form - for parents who wish to provide their own laptop to their student and not receive an FCPS device

Online Verification Update

Parents can now update information for their child in one easy location. It is crucial that all families review information in ParentVUE to ensure that we have up-to-date contact information and health information to best care for your child. To access the Online Verification Update packet you will log-in to SIS ParentVue and click on the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right hand corner.  If you are accessing via the app on your phone click on the “OLR - Online Packets” button at the top of the screen.  You can access more directions  and details here.  

This update will ask you to verify and/or update the following pertinent information: 

• Family

  • Home Address Verification , Mailing Address Verification 

• Parent/Guardian 

  • Name, Address, Phone Number, Designation of Primary phone number, Email address

• Emergency

  • Add/Delete/Update Emergency Contact information 

• Students (for each student enrolled) 

  • Demographics, Homeless Student Referral, Military Connected Status, Parent/Guardian relationships, Emergency Contact Relationships, Physician Information, Health Insurance Information, FCPS Health Forms (see below), Health Information, Immunization Dates, Internet Access Information 

• Documents

  • In this section you can download, complete and upload the following applicable documents for your student 

  • You can also download the updated Health Information Report and Emergency Care Report for your student.  

    • Authorization for Anaphylaxis Action Plan (SE64) - Required for the administration of epinephrine injection(s) as directed by the licensed prescriber.

    • FCPS Authorization for Virginia Asthma Action Plan (SE65) - Required for the administration of an inhaler as directed by the licensed prescriber.

    • Medication Authorization (SE 63) - Required for the administration of over-the-counter and prescription medication, with the exception of epinephrine and inhaled medication, as directed by the licensed prescriber/parent/guardian.

    • Physician’s Referral for Participation in Physical Education (SE200) - Complete if a modified physical education program is needed

    • Specific Health Care Procedures Authorization (SE 180) - Complete for physical condition(s) for which the specific procedure is to be performed.

• Review/Submit

  • Review documentation and submit for your student’s information to be updated in the FCPS Student Information System.

Individual forms: Parent Digital Tool Permission Application - In an ongoing effort to protect student data, FCPS is required to secure parental permission for student use of software/applications for which FCPS does not have a confidentiality agreement. An online process has been developed to collect this information digitally and provide school-based reporting. This process has been designed to meet the legal requirements for authenticating parent identities under FERPA. Parents, please follow this link to give permission for your student to access supplemental tech tools. These tools are critical to creating an effective, engaging virtual classroom experience. The form is electronic only – cannot be printed and signed. 

Emergency Care Form – Parents must review emergency care information on file and update the form (if needed). All parents need a Parent Vue account and can update the Emergency Care Form via weCare by clicking HERE. If you update and submit Emergency Care through weCare, or please print a copy to bring to the subschool Office by Sept. 23. 

Health Information Form – Health Form 

Students’ Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Form – Parents and guardians, please review the Student Rights and Responsibilities and related resources at www.fcps.edu/srr. Please sign a printed copy of the SR&R signature page acknowledging you have received the SR&R information and return it to the subschool office by Sept. 22. The form must be filled once for each student enrolled at MVHS. 

Military Connected Students Form – Required for all families. 

School Supplies

Any teacher who requires specific school supplies will provide a list during the first week of school.  We will also give away bookbags and a limited amount of school supplies during Majors Gear Up.  Students in need of school supplies should contact Ms. Dana Aboul Hosn at @email

Student Lockers

Locker Request form - MVHS does not automatically assign lockers to all students* for the  school year.  If you would like to have a locker assigned to you, please complete the form below, and your subschool will assign you a locker and provide you with the correct combination for the lock.  

*Students enrolled in our Comprehensive Services Site (CSS) will be assigned lockers.

Please remember that all items in your locker are your responsibility; do not provide your locker combination to anyone else or share lockers with other students.

Schoology Login Page

Learn more about Schoology (Official FCPS website)

Schoology (pronounced /SKOO-luh-jee/) is a learning space that enhances communication, collaboration, and personalized learning for students, teachers, and families. Teachers at Mount Vernon High School utilize the tool to share upcoming information, schedule and assignment details along with interactive activities and engaging lessons.

Student grade level Schoology pages will have information specific to the grade level. Items found on these pages may include announcements, class meeting details and more.

SIS ParentVUE is the FCPS online tool for accessing information about your child's attendance, grades, required forms and link to Schoology. Your username and password is the same for both ParentVUE and Schoology. 

• SIS ParentVUE Accounts provide: access to view your child’s student information, including attendance, report cards, class schedules, grade book (for Middle and High School students), course history, discipline, health, and school information. It also enables you to get weekly grade reports. 
   
• Schoology Parent Account Provide: access to view your child’s courses, groups, assignments, and calendar. Parents can also check messages, change their notification settings, and access additional groups or courses if they are enrolled as members.

For more information and to register for an account, click the following link for more information: SIS ParentVue Account Overview

Students will review the SR&R during the first weeks of school during Major Time/Advisory. Every year, FCPS requires parents/guardians to review, sign, and return the SR&R parent/guardian signature page acknowledging awareness of online access to and/or the opportunity to receive a printed copy of the FCPS SR&R Guide for Families.  You can review the SRR website here.

You can complete this requirement through your ParentVUE account in a matter of seconds. or click here to access the signature page.  This will acknowledge your review of the SRR.  Please have your student(s) return this signature page to the subschool administrative assistant no later than 9/29/23.

There is a new traffic pattern located on Battersea Lane of Mount Vernon High School. Between the hours of 8:30am to 5:00pm, the gates to school property will be closed to outside traffic.  This change will assist in ensuring the safety of our students over the course of the school day, as well as directly after school when practices are in session.   Failure to comply with the new traffic pattern may result in tickets being issued. 

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of the Mount Vernon High School administration, security personnel, or School Resource Officer. Thank you for partnering with us as student safety is our top priority.

Are Your Child’s Immunizations and Records Up to Date? 

Immunizations are required for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. Many children missed their well check-ups and their recommended childhood vaccinations during recent years because of disruptions from COVID-19. It is critical to catch up to keep children healthy and ready for school. 

While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, many other immunizations are. Check with your students’ healthcare providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations.

Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of clinics or contact your family’s healthcare provider. Appointments are required for most clinics.  

Remember to request documentation of your child’s immunizations to provide to their school. Get more information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation to share with your child’s school.