First Groups Of Fairfax Students Expected To Return On Feb. 16

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Public Schools is preparing to bring back its first groups of students for hybrid learning on Tuesday, Feb. 16, following Presidents Day.

The school board voted in favor of the latest return to school plan on Feb. 2. The plan calls for groups of students to return for hybrid instruction on dates between Feb. 16 and March 16.

The first groups to return will include students in select specialized career prep classes, preschool autism, preschool class-based students, Elementary Comprehensive Service Sites, adaptive curriculum programs, Key Center, Kilmer Center and Burke School (elementary).

According to FCPS, students who opted into in-person learning earlier this school year will return with their designated group. Hybrid learning will provide two days of in-person learning for these students.

For families who selected virtual learning earlier in the school year and want to switch to hybrid learning, FCPS cannot guarantee that option is available.

"Due to social distancing requirements, schools may not be able to accommodate additional students who wish to change their selection from virtual to in-person instruction," reads a statement on the FCPS website. "For parents requesting changes from full-time virtual to in-person instruction, principals will do their best to accommodate the requests, however, it may not be possible to accommodate changes if classes are at capacity."

Superintendent Scott Brabrand will hold his next town hall on the return to school plan Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. on FCPS Cable Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11) or the FCPS website. Questions can be submitted in advance to returntoschool@fcps.edu or can be called in during the town hall at 1-800-231-6359.

Here are the other return dates for groups of students beyond Feb. 16:

• Feb. 23: Early Head Start (infants and toddlers), PreK (3- and 4-year-olds), Kindergarten, Intensive Support Needs (students instructed with modified curriculum for at least 50 percent of their core courses and instructed in special education settings 50 percent or more of their instructional day), Specialized Center-based Programs - Special Education
• March 2: Grades 8, 9 and 12 and Secondary Public Day Programs (Cedar Lane and Quander Road, and Davis & Pulley Center students who age during the 2020-21 school year)
• March 9: Grades 1 and 2, Grades 7, 10 and 11, Poe Middle School, Glasgow Middle School, and Holmes Middle School students in Grades 6 and 7 and Davis and Pulley Center students who age during the 2021-22 school year
• March 16: Grades 3 to 6 and Secondary Public Day Programs - Special Education (Burke Middle School and remaining students at Davis & Pulley Centers and Davis STEP)