The Mustang Spirit

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We want to make sure you know about the steps we are taking to ensure that we mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as we slowly reopen the building to students. Some of the things that are in place:

→ Occupancy signs

We have signs in common areas that indicate a “max occupancy” for small spaces and common areas. These are visual cues for students and staff alike to help manage movement in and out of our common areas.

→ Sanitizing materials

Hand sanitizer stations appear frequently throughout the school. In addition, all classrooms and study spaces have a spray bottle filled with sanitizer spray for wiping down surfaces after use, and towels.

→ “Open Seat” signage

In common areas and the library, where seats cannot be adequately spaced to indicate appropriate distance, we have “open seat” signage which indicates the pre-measured spot where students should seat in order to maintain appropriate physical distance.

As a reminder, we continue to follow CDC guidelines for mitigation that if students and staff maintain 6-feet of distance, sanitize frequently, and wear a mask, then we will be doing our best to safely operate the school day and mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

SCHOOL WIDE COVID RESPONSE TEAM

What we do:

• Establish and maintain mitigation protocols
• Communicate with district and community about mitigation steps
• Conduct “Mitigation Observations” around the building to ensure quality & consistency
• Contact tracing

If you have questions or information for the team, please send an email to mustangcovidresponse@fccps.org.

FCCPS staff will receive their second COVID-19 vaccine this weekend (Presidents' Day). Due to potential side effects from the second dose, FCCPS decided that Tuesday, February 16 will be an independent asynchronous student workday. Additionally, since our Monday classes (Blocks 1 and 3) have not met due to holidays and the recent snow day, we will have Blocks 1 and 3 only on February 16 in order for those classes to catch up. Blocks 1 and 3 lessons will be recorded by teachers ahead of time and students will access their lessons through Schoology on Tuesday. It is important for students to access their Blocks 1 and 3 classes on Tuesday and not use it as a free day.

We will return to synchronous virtual learning on Wednesday, February 17 with a usual Wednesday schedule (Blocks 1, 3, 5, 7, CCE, and Learning Support). Please note that all FCCPS buildings will be closed on Tuesday, February 16. All students, including Cohort 1 students, will access asynchronous learning.

The school clinic will be receiving student medications on Thursday and Friday, February 18 and 19, from 8:30 AM through 2:30 PM. The clinic is located inside the main office (first door on the left upon entering the building). Parents/guardians are asked to wear a face-covering and come inside the main office/clinic one at a time. Temperatures will be taken before entering the main office. A waiting area is located in the lobby where parents/guardians may socially distance themselves.

Please place all meds in a Ziploc-type bag with your student’s name on it. The completed form(s) must be attached to the bag or placed inside the bag.

Forms

• Please print out the form(s) (EPI-Pen, medication, use of an inhaler) needed and read the Parent Information on the second page.

• Your child's physician completes Part II. It is acceptable if all items in Part II are written on the physician's stationery or a prescription pad. All prescription medication requires a physician’s signature. Over the counter medications can be given with a parent’s signature for up to 10 consecutive school days. Any over the counter meds to be taken longer than 10 days require a physician’s signature.
• Meds cannot be given to a student until a completed form is submitted.

A reminder that we will start our hybrid schedule on Monday, February 22, with an independent virtual learning day for all students, followed by Groups B and D in-person on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Groups C & D in-person on Thursday and Friday.

All students and parents/guardians were sent an email early last week confirming their student's grouping. Please make sure to check that email to confirm whether your child is in:

Group A - All Virtual

Group B - In-person Tuesday and Wednesday (virtual Thursday and Friday)

Group C - In-person Thursday and Friday (virtual Tuesday and Wednesday)

Group D - In-person Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (By invitation only)

Student lunch schedules are dependent upon their Blocks 5 and 6 teacher's lunch assignments. Bus schedules will be available by February 22.

Student Parking

There are 132 spaces available for students adjacent to the old high school building along Mustang Alley and Haycock Road (the old Senior lot, part of the Junior lot, and the old Visitor lot). Student parking lots are shown in orange on the map below (see Directions to the New Secondary Campus section). Students will walk the Pink Route to the school entrances. Parking will be free for the remainder of the 20-21 school year. A car registration form will be sent to all Juniors and Seniors through Schoology.

Click the photo below for a print-friendly version of the schedule.

And last but certainly not least, we will welcome the Class of 2024 on Friday, February 19 from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM to come into the building to use our study spaces for virtual Blocks 5 and 7.

We will of course be adhering to our GMHS Mitigation Protocols. All students must complete the health and wellness checks before entering the building and students' temperatures will be taken at the door. There is no sign-up required and pizza will be provided. Transportation will not be available.

There are two Our History Matters! live-stream panels for Black History Month.

Please tune in on Thursday, February 18 at 10:00 AM. “How I got Here” will be streamed live on the FCCPS YouTube Channel.

These panelists will share their stories:

Mr. William Bates - Chief Academic Officer, Falls Church City Public Schools

Dr. Chantay Bess - Owner, Ascension Chiropractic Falls Church

Dr. Joe D. Briggs - Counsel for the National Football League Players Association

Mr. Carlos Castro - Chief Executive Officer, Todos Supermarkets

Dr. Darius Coulibaly - Educator, Falls Church City Public Schools

Mr. Adam Rivera - Educator, Falls Church City Public Schools

And on Monday, February 22 at 10:00 AM a Middle and High School student panel will be streamed live on The Home of the Mustangs YouTube Channel.

Catch the Region Championship vs James Monroe on Sunday, February 14 at 11:00 AM in the Home of the Mustangs YouTube Channel.

Go Mustangs!

In the weeks leading up to school reopening in a hybrid format, FCCPS is offering a challenge to have fun and keep track of how well they are mitigating exposure to Covid-19.

Families who thoughtfully plan activities, socially distance, and wear masks are on their way to becoming #MitigationMasters.

Here's how it works:

• Print out the #MitigationMasters Gameboard.
• Keep track of all the things your family does.
• Enter them into the form that's linked on the gameboard.

The winning family gets ice cream for four at Lazy Mike's. The next highest families will be entered into a raffle for additional prizes. Everyone who participates gets an FCCPS #MitigationMasters certificate emailed to the family.

Here are different guides to help you navigate our new Secondary Campus by car, bike, bus, and on foot.

Google Map

Description sheet with a map and routes

Video

#BetterTogether

Matt Hills

Principal

Email: HillsM@fccps.org
Website: gm.fccps.org
Location: 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church, VA, USA
Phone: (703) 248-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fallschurchcitypublicschools
Twitter: @MasonMustangs