The Mustang Spirit

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Dear Mustang Families,

For the third time this school year, we will have a “First” day of school: On Tuesday, April 6 we will open our doors to our full student body. The preparations are furiously underway! Operating under the philosophy that we want to bring as many students back to in-person learning as we can safely manage, we will be implementing “Learning Hubs” throughout our new building. You can read about the details of how this will work below. At the same time, we will continue to offer concurrent instruction to our students who have elected to access school virtually from their home. Our asynchronous learning day has shifted to Wednesday and on that day we will offer a Wednesday Learning Lounge (details below).

The pandemic continues to present one of the greatest challenges in the history of public schools. We so appreciate the work of our teachers, support staff, and student services team, and our whole school community who are helping make this all work.

Have an enjoyable and safe spring break,

The Mustang Admin Team

We know it has been a long, hard winter, and many of us are looking forward to long awaited trips. We ask that all of us be vigilant and safe and remember that while much progress has been made, we are still not out of the woods with COVID. Be mindful on your travels. Continue wearing a mask and practice social distancing. We all deserve a break, but let's also do our part to be rid of the pandemic once and for all.

Learning Hub and Hub Schedule

Beginning on April 6, we will begin our new schedule which is designed to maximize student attendance to in-person learning. We remain committed to keeping 6 feet of social distancing for our students. In order to maintain this standard, we will be implementing “Learning Hubs” -- destinations in the building where students can access their classes virtually. At a Learning Hub, students will have access to a supervised workstation and will participate in classes virtually. Students received individual schedules by their school email indicating where and when they will be attending a learning hub. Parents/Guardians will receive their student's schedule as well. And teachers will receive schedules with a rotation plan indicating which blocks they will have students in a hub. This will be a new form of school for all of us and surely we will have to make adjustments along the way, so we appreciate your patience, understanding, and feedback as we embark on this final quarter. Attendance will be taken at the start of each block. All mitigation protocols will be implemented and student seats will always remain 6-feet apart of one another.

Wednesdays in Quarter 4

Our asynchronous learning day will shift to Wednesday for Quarter 4.

• The buildings will be accessible for students participating in after-school athletics and clubs.

• Teachers are engaged with professional development and collaborative planning on Wednesdays.

• Students will complete self-paced independent work. Students (not accessing the building) will be required to log in for attendance purposes.

• Attendance will be taken on independent learning days for all students in both the hybrid and virtual models of instruction.

• All students will have access to teachers for Virtual Office Hours from 8 - 9 AM. Students may make an appointment using their teachers' Calendly Links which are posted in Schoology.

Wednesday Learning Lounge

• WHAT: Time and space for students to work asynchronously on completing outstanding work. On-site support available to students who attend. Transportation will be provided to any student (who lives outside the walk zone). Free breakfast and lunch will be available to any student.

• WHO: Identified students will receive an invitation. Students will be invited based on teacher recommendations.

• WHEN: 8 AM - 12 PM every Wednesday

• WHERE: Library

Attendance

Virtual students are expected to log in via Schoology to all classes. Attendance will be taken virtually. Any student who does not log in will be marked absent.

Students who selected In-Person learning are expected to be present in school. Attendance will be taken each block.

Families must contact attendance if a student will be absent from class:

• Send an email to attendancegm@fccps.org; or
• Leave a message on the 24-Hour Attendance Line, (703) 248-5501; or
• Send a signed note with your child (for tardiness and early dismissals/doctor's appointments only)

For students who are scheduled to be in person but will instead access class virtually from home, we ask that families please notify attendance as well so that students are not marked absent.

Bus Schedules

The Quarter 4 bus schedules will be online next week. We will continue to use seating charts and assigned seats.

Today's meal distribution is for two weeks in order to cover Spring Break. There will be no meal distribution over Spring Break. We will resume on April 9, 2021.

Mustang Career Chats are back! The chats are virtual this year, so you can do it from anywhere. Career Chats give students an opportunity to learn about what happens after high school; career paths and opportunities. They love to hear from friends and neighbors. Dates needed are April 16 (Juniors); April 27 (Seniors); May 7 (Freshmen); and May 14 (Sophomores) from 10:00-11:00 AM.

Sign up at this link

• Last day of classes for the Class of 2021 is Friday, May 21

• Makeup Days from May 24 - 26 will be available for seniors to come in to school and complete any outstanding work needed toward completion of credits for graduation

• Fine Day/Computer returns will be on Thursday, May 27

Senior Yearbook Portraits

Seniors who have NOT had their Yearbook portraits taken yet may schedule a session by booking an appointment directly with Victor O'Neill Studios here.

Seniors who need a retake should please reach out to seniors@vosphoto.com to schedule a time.

Our advisory (Stable Group) block is where students participate in grade-level activities, Social-Emotional Learning, activities and clubs, and opportunities for students to engage in extensions of learning. Additionally, in Quarter 4, we will utilize the time as targeted intervention for selected students.

There’s nothing else like your school yearbook. If you would like to place an order for a 20-21 Yearbook, the current rate is $85 and can be purchased by clicking HERE. The last day to purchase your yearbook is April 16, 2021.

Thank you for helping us tell the story of the year,

George Mason High School Yearbook Staff

Photo is the actual cover of the 20-21 Yearbook.

#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