Please check out this video about our upcoming food festival event!

Come by James Monroe High School (2300 Washington Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401) on September 28 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for our International Food Night! There will be plenty of food, international table displays, and performances. Click HERE to register.

Yesterday, Dr. Catlett participated in the Workforce Now Series Superintendent Forum, highlighting our CTE program and the accomplishments of schools, programs, and students. Thank you, Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce!

Monday, September 25, 2023, is a Teacher Workday. Students are not to report to school.

Students return

to school on Tuesday, September 26, 2023.

Did you know Cinco de Mayo is a holiday some people celebrate in Mexico, but it is not their Independence Day? It commemorates a battle in the city of Puebla, Mexico, in 1862.

El Cinco de Mayo es una festividad que algunas personas celebran en Mexico, pero no es su día de independencia. Conmemora una batalla en la ciudad de Puebla en Mexico 1862.

As of 2019, 60.6 million people of Hispanic descent were in the United States. As of 2020, the Hispanic/Latino population in the U.S. was approximately 18% of the total population.

En el 2019, habían 60.6 millones de personas hispanas descendientes en Estados Unidos. En el 2020, la población de los hispanos/latinos era aproximadamente el 18% del total de la población.

We are thrilled to announce the opening of our JM student salon clinic on Friday, September 22. A group of passionate aspiring stylists committed to providing hair, nail, and skincare services.

The salon clinic will only be open on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. They’re offering FREE shampoo and blow dry's during the grand opening month.

For more information and pricing, visit their website: https://www.vagaro.com/jmsalonclinic/

September 18th is Independence Day for Chile (1810)

El 18 de septiembre es el día de la independencia para Chile (1810)

Antonio Rice, CEO and President of Jobs for Virginia Graduates, awarded James Monroe's JVG program with the national "6-of-6" recognition. This top honor is for outstanding performance and exceeding national standards in the graduation rate, employment rate, positive

outcomes rate, and more.

September is Attendance Awareness Month. Attendance matters because you matter! Good school attendance means:

1. Preschoolers - build skills and develop good habits for showing up on time.

2. Elementary Schoolers - read well by the end of third grade.

3. High Schoolers - stay on track for graduation.

4. College Students - earn their degrees.

5. Workers - succeed in their jobs.

Too many absences - excused or unexcused - can keep students from succeeding in school and life. How many are too many? 10% of the school year, meaning 18 missed days or two days a month, can knock students off track.

Parents and guardians, did you know school attendance matters as early as preschool and kindergarten? Studies show that children who miss too many days of school early in the year will struggle academically, both now and in the future.

Here's how you can help:

1. Some absences are unavoidable because of illness, but it is important to get your child to school as often as possible.

2. To keep your child from missing school, try to line up vacations and appointments with the school's schedule.

3. For younger children, set a regular bedtime and morning routine. Make sure they get plenty of sleep and try laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.

4. For older children, help them set homework and bedtime routines that allow for plenty of sleep. When the lights are off, phones/video games/computers should be too.

5. Above all, set an example by showing your child that attendance matters to you and that you won't allow an absence unless they are truly sick.

The General Intellectual Gifted Education Program identifies and provides services to students who demonstrate:

• superior reasoning;
• persistent intellectual curiosity;
• advanced use of language;
• exceptional problem solving skills;
• rapid acquisition and mastery of facts, concepts, and principles; and
• creative and imaginative expression across a broad range of intellectual disciplines beyond their age-level peers.

Students may be referred for consideration throughout the academic year by their parent, guardian, or teacher. Middle and high school students may also refer themselves for the program. Students in grades 3-12 who wish to be identified and hope to start the program in January 2024 must be referred no later than October 13, 2023. For more information, please contact your child’s school counselling office.

September is Attendance Awareness Month! So remember FCPS, attendance matters because you matter! So let's show up together! Stay tuned throughout the month for more informational items on attendance, including the winner of our "Attendance Stars" contest. The school with the best attendance for the month will get a banner outside their school, and their students will receive a special treat!

This week, there was a Stafford student social media post that was created and shared by as many as five students. That post has led to widespread responses in our local area. These responses, primarily centered in Stafford, have the possibility of being carried out at our football game. There are threats being investigated by law enforcement.

We have been in close contact with Fredericksburg City Police and Stafford Sheriff’s Office.

The specific comment has stirred personal reactions. We do not believe this matter can be resolved in a way for both teams and community to come together at this time for healthy competition.

Stafford High School has forfeited tonight’s football game. Therefore, there will be no event this evening and the game will not be rescheduled.

Law enforcement and area school systems prioritize community safety and take every threat of violence seriously.

This past weekend, Lauren Williams was inducted into the National Society of High School Scholars, representing James Monroe. Lauren was given a gold medal for her work and acceptance to NSHSS. Her acceptance into the program was based on her academics, leadership skills, and community service. She had the great opportunity to meet with college representatives, attend workshops, learn about scholarships, and learn how to write engaging essays. Congratulations to this incredible JM Jacket!

For the start of the 2023-2024 school year, Fredericksburg City Public Schools will provide school supplies free of charge, for enrolled students K-8. No application is necessary! Schools will distribute supplies to students during the 1^st week of school.

Items provided for use in English, Math, Science, and History classes:

binders, composition notebooks, crayons, dry Erase markers, earbuds/headphones, erasers, folders, glue sticks/glue, highlighters, paper (graph/loose leaf), page protectors, pens, pencils (regular/color), pencil boxes/pouches, pencil sharpeners, rulers, scissors, spiral notebooks, sticky notes, and writing journals.

If you have any questions, please contact your child's school.

Funded by Title I

For the start of the 2023-2024 school year, Fredericksburg City Public Schools will provide school supplies free of charge, for enrolled students K-8. No application is necessary! Schools will distribute supplies to students during the 1^st week of school.

Items provided for use in English, Math, Science, and History classes:

binders, composition notebooks, crayons, dry Erase markers, earbuds/headphones, erasers, folders, glue sticks/glue, highlighters, paper (graph/loose leaf), page protectors, pens, pencils (regular/color), pencil boxes/pouches, pencil sharpeners, rulers, scissors, spiral notebooks, sticky notes, and writing journals.

If you have any questions, please contact your child's school.

Funded by Title I

Lafayette Elementary School recently had a new mural painted in their hallway by community member Greg Steigleder. Below is a brief interview with him about his process of painting the mural and some other background questions. Please enjoy, and note the various ways to see more from Mr. Steigleder at the bottom. Edited slightly for clarity.

1. Who reached out to ask about putting the mural in, or did you offer? Essentially just let us know how the project got off the ground.

Answer: "So for this project I worked alongside Lifepoint Church in their event of 'Paint the Town Red'. This was an opportunity to bless our community, giving back in a positive way. I was all about it when I heard about the project, as I have done several school murals in the area and I enjoy these types of projects. The project leader [from Lifepoint Church] Danielle put me in contact with Courtney [Wheeler], the principal at LES and I spoke to [her] over the phone and she told me her vision for the mural."

2. Once the plans were in motion, did you get any sort of inspiration or material to draw from that Lafayette staff gave you (i.e. were the words on the word wall from staff or students)?

Answer: "[Ms. Wheeler] set the tone for encouraging words in the mural. I look for inspiration a lot from west coast street artists where I grew up, California. There is one particular artist I got the inspiration from that painted a mural for a gym. [It] had motivational quotes all over the wall, written in all sorts of fonts. I thought it was such a cool look when [it was] finished that I wanted to take the same kind of idea for this wall and make it my own. I mainly did a bubble style lettering in all different florescent colors to grab attention and 'LES' in the middle for 'Lafayette Elementary School' in the school colors. The words were chosen to uplift [students] in positive words that can encourage and inspire to excel in their life and in school."

3. How long have you been doing art like this, and do you have any advice for kids who are looking to get into art themselves?

Answer: "I always loved art and drawing as a child. As I got older, the street artists in California [were] interesting to me and I would be inspired to draw in that type of way. I started Gskillz customs 3 years ago and mainly painted murals for my friend's kid's rooms and in their garages. It began to grow from social media and word of mouth into painting walls for businesses in the area, and schools that wanted readable street style lettering and cartoon style characters. [The] advice I would give to kids to get into art would be [to] follow their passion and interests. Keep drawing any chance you get and keep a hunger for learning how to draw better. Start by drawing what interests you and watch videos on drawing for inspiration. Find a few artists and follow them for inspiration and drawing tips. I loved drawing cars and video game characters in high school and grew from there."

4. Briefly describe what your process looks like when you take on a project like this (i.e. do you start with a stencil sketch, then a digital version, essentially just what does your workflow look like).

Answer: "When I first started I only used pencil and paper. As my business grew I had to do adapt quickly and do a lot of revisions and corrections for mock up drawings for customers. I ended up buying an iPad with an Apple Pencil as it was closest to what I was used to. I downloaded Procreate® for all my drawings and sketching[s] and taught myself how to draw on it through YouTube videos. The layers and ability to hide [them] quickly for revisions was amazing. It was a learning curve at first switching to digital but being able to draw digital and make quick changes was a game [changer] and time saver. Once I draw everything up, I send to customers for review and make any changes from feedback. Once approved I draw everything with chalk on the wall to get all my proportions correctly and use spray cans and different caps for painting the art on the walls."

Website: www.gskillzcustoms.com

Instagram: @gskillz_customs

Facebook: @Gskillzcustoms

Fredericksburg City Public Schools continues to welcome its new teachers on July 26 with a continental breakfast. New teachers had a chance to get to know each other a little better and enjoy some breakfast before starting their full day of orientation activities in earnest. We are so excited for them to get into their classrooms very soon and start inspiring students!

On July 25, our new staff for the 2023 - 2024 school year spent time together in professional sessions and went out for lunch and dessert. Buses left the Walker-Grant center for 718 Venue for a catered lunch prepared by Foode. A guided tour referencing some of the shops and notable destinations along the way was shared on the bus ride there. After listening to remarks from Superintendent Marci Catlett, Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw, and Interim Executive Director of Fredericksburg Main Street Chris Allen, everyone was driven over to Carl's Frozen Custard. We hope all new staff remember today as the perfect kick-off to the school year. We look forward to seeing them in action very soon.

For the start of the 2023-2024 school year, Fredericksburg City Public Schools will provide school supplies free of charge, for enrolled students K-8. No application is necessary! Schools will distribute supplies to students during the 1^st week of school.

Items provided for use in English, Math, Science, and History classes:

binders, composition notebooks, crayons, dry Erase markers, earbuds/headphones, erasers, folders, glue sticks/glue, highlighters, paper (graph/loose leaf), page protectors, pens, pencils (regular/color), pencil boxes/pouches, pencil sharpeners, rulers, scissors, spiral notebooks, sticky notes, and writing journals.

If you have any questions, please contact your child's school.

Funded by Title I

FCPS has made the following safety efforts:

• All FCPS staff have received training from the Fredericksburg Police Department on what to do in a crisis.
• All law enforcement and emergency responders were given card access to all school buildings. They also have access to building keys.
• Digital maps were created for every school building and shared with the E-911 Communications Center.
• Division Administrators participated in Incident Command System training.
• FCPS families were informed about free gun lock program.
• Law enforcement personnel walked all school buildings to become familiar with facilities.
• Safety and Operations Coordinator position created.
• Full-time School Resource Officer assigned to Walker-Grant Middle School.
• Safety Summits were held monthly.
• School administrators toured and learned about the Police Mobile Command Unit and a Special Equipment Tactical Team vehicle.
• School-based Crisis Management Teams completed training on how to react during a crisis through simulated activities.
• Police Department purchased breach kits and installed them at all schools.

Follow us for safety updates.

City website:

• fredericksburgva.gov
• Facebook: @FXBGgov
• Instagram: @FXBGgov
• Twitter: @FXBGgov

Police website:

• fxbgpolice.com
• Facebook: @FXBGPolice
• Instagram: @FXBGPolice
• Twitter: @FXBGPolice

FCPS website:

• fxbgschools.us
• Facebook: @FredSchools
• Instagram: @FredSchools
• Twitter: @FredSchools

Anonymous Tip Line, text "FPDtip" and your message to 847-411.

On July 22 and 29, come by Staples on Route 3 (2003 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22401) from 10:00AM - 2:00PM. You can help stuff the Super Cat Bus with backpacks and school supplies! Premade boxes of school supplies from Staples will also be available to donate to students for only 5 dollars. 

Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) for summer 2023 will be issued beginning on July 22, 2023. Eligible students, submitted by the local school division in a data file to the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), will receive a one-time benefit of $120 within a six-week window.

Eligible students in households that have an active Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP EBT) card, or that were issued a P-EBT card for any prior issuance of P-EBT, with no address changes since the card was issued, can expect to receive the Summer 2023 benefit between July 22 – August 12, 2023, on the existing EBT or P-EBT card. If the previously issued P-EBT card was lost or discarded, call VDSS vendor, Conduent, at 866-281-2448, to request a replacement.

Eligible P-EBT only, non-SNAP, households that have lost or discarded their previous P-EBT card and have moved or had any address changes must call the PEBT Call Center at 866-513-1414 or 804-294-1633 Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. to correct their address and request a replacement card. It may take up to six weeks to receive the new card by U.S. mail.

Eligible households that are new to the P-EBT program and do not have an existing P-EBT or SNAP EBT card should not call Conduent or the PEBT Call Center. A new P-EBT card will automatically be mailed to the address provided by the school division. The card will arrive by U.S. mail within six weeks of the July 22 benefit issuance.

In accordance with the end of the federal public health emergency declaration on May 11, 2023, the Summer 2023 P-EBT issuance will mark the end of the P-EBT program.

Fredericksburg City Public Schools is looking to round out its family. We have students to serve and positions to fill. Please take a look at our jobs postings page below to see if you'd be a great candidate to make a difference in the lives of FCPS students.

We are hiring for elementary special education - with a focus in autism, 5th, 4th, and 3rd grade classes; middle school Spanish, Family Consumer Sciences, Digital Art, and special education; high school part-time Spanish teacher and full-time school counselor; and central office math coach and psychology intern.

James Monroe High School Spanish Teacher Mari Tolliver had this to say on why she chose FCPS for her career; "I chose FCPS because of the collegiality - I get great support from HR, from my administrators, and from my fellow teachers."

Don't have a degree in education but have at least a bachelor's degree? Human Resources can help you with your pathway to becoming a licensed teacher. Call us at 540-372-1130 for more information. We are here to help.

Jobs Postings Page

Tune into the newest episode of The New Dominion Podcast with Martin Davis from F2S local news for an exclusive interview with Superintendent Marci Catlett. You don't want to miss it!

Episode link; https://open.spotify.com/episode/6yK4hyVgGdT03zxsqbFapN

F2S; https://thelocalburg.substack.com/p/welcome-to-f2s

Please take note of the following dates: 

◼️August 1: W-GMS Orientation, 4:30 - 7:30 PM 

◼️August 2: James Monroe Open House, 3:00 - 6:00 PM

◼️August 3: Preschool Programs Orientation, 9:00 - 3:00 PM
Hugh Mercer Orientation, Kindergarten 4:00 -5:00 PM; All grades 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Lafayette Orientation, Kindergarten 4:00 - 5:00 PM; All grades 5:00 - 7:00 PM

◼️August 4: All FCPS Staff will come together at James Monroe to celebrate Opening Convocation. All FCPS buildings will close at 11:00 AM. 

◼️August 7: First Day of School ONLY for kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grade. 

◼️August 8: First Day of School for EVERYONE.

FCPS' own Connection Resources Center Specialist Ana Johnson will be at the Fredericksburg Library Branch Fun Fest, on July 20 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Stop by and learn about important community resources in the area and participate in fun games and activities. See you there!

Fredericksburg Branch located at 1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA. Visit librarypoint.org or call 540-372-1144/804-472-3820 for more information.

Mark your calendars for the 4th Annual Virginia Black Business Expo & Conference on August 12th and 13th at the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center. This remarkable event is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and economic growth while providing a platform for networking, education, and unforgettable experiences.

Featuring over 100 vendors to shop with and learn from, offering unique opportunities to support local businesses, contribute to the economy, and discover innovative products and services. With over 20 empowering speakers, the Business Conference will provide valuable insights, resources, and strategies focused on small business development, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.

The Great Blacksby Gala on Saturday night will showcase a small business awards ceremony, the incredible talent of Keke Wyatt and the Silverfox Squad, alongside the engaging emcee and keynote speaker Quinn Conyers. This unforgettable evening will celebrate the spirit of collaboration, empowerment, and education, inspiring attendees to pursue their dreams and positively impact their communities.

Indulge your taste buds at the two-day Food Truck Festival and a Live Jazz and R&B Brunch on Sunday, where various mouth-watering options await, creating the perfect atmosphere for shopping, mingling, and learning. End the weekend with the After "Skate" Party on Sunday night, sponsored by Celebrity Skate Instructor "PUSH," adding a fun and exciting element to this memorable event.

We thank our Sponsors: State Conference NAACP, Virginia Community Capital, Virginia Partners Bank, Hyatt Place, Transurban Expressway, G3 Community Services, and B101.5.

Join us to empower the small business community and foster economic growth at the Virginia Black Business Expo. Take advantage of this exceptional event that champions diversity, equity, and community building. Secure your tickets now at www.vablackbusinessexpo.org.

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact media@vabbd.com. 

For the start of the 2023-2024 school year, Fredericksburg City Public Schools will provide school supplies free of charge, for enrolled students K-8. No application is necessary! Schools will distribute supplies to students during the 1^st week of school.

Items provided for use in English, Math, Science, and History classes:

binders, composition notebooks, crayons, dry Erase markers, earbuds/headphones, erasers, folders, glue sticks/glue, highlighters, paper (graph/loose leaf), page protectors, pens, pencils (regular/color), pencil boxes/pouches, pencil sharpeners, rulers, scissors, spiral notebooks, sticky notes, and writing journals.

If you have any questions, please contact your child's school.

Funded by Title I

Calling all FCPS students ages 13 and up.  Are you looking for a great way to spend your last Friday and Saturday nights in July?  Check out what the YMCA has got to offer.

The YMCA Teens 2 20's Basketball program for ages 13 and up is EVERY Friday and Saturday Night in July. Come by the Massad Family YMCA at 212 Butler Road, Falmouth, VA, 22405 for pick up basketball games from 9:00 to 11:00 PM. There will be basketball, a DJ, and community resources. See you there!

The FCPS Student Registration Deadline is coming up. Student paperwork must be complete by August 2 to start school on first day. Registration closes at 3PM on August 2. Students will NOT be assigned a teacher or receive a schedule until registration is complete. Registration re-opens on Wednesday, August 9 at 8:30 AM. Questions? Contact the FCPS Registrar at ataylor@cityschools.com or 540-940-8380. Registration information can be found on the division website at fxbgschools.us 

Yesterday, 11 month and 12 month Special Education staff did some Escape Room team building! It was super fun!

For the start of the 2023-2024 school year, Fredericksburg City Public Schools will provide school supplies free of charge, for enrolled students K-8. No application is necessary! Schools will distribute supplies to students during the 1^st week of school.

Items provided for use in English, Math, Science, and History classes:

binders, composition notebooks, crayons, dry Erase markers, earbuds/headphones, erasers, folders, glue sticks/glue, highlighters, paper (graph/loose leaf), page protectors, pens, pencils (regular/color), pencil boxes/pouches, pencil sharpeners, rulers, scissors, spiral notebooks, sticky notes, and writing journals.

If you have any questions, please contact your child's school.

Funded by Title I

FCPS held three substitute training sessions on June 29, 2023. Two sessions were geared toward returning substitutes, and one session was more in-depth training for new substitutes for the 2023-2024 school year. It is exciting to see our substitute pool growing with dedicated folks who show a great interest in our students and the continuation of meaningful instruction when a teacher has to be out of the classroom. In attendance were 53 returning substitutes and 21 new substitutes. We will be holding another training in August for those who were not able to attend. Please contact Eileen Pospisil in the Human Resources Department (540-372-1130) if you would like more information regarding substituting for FCPS.

The YMCA’s School Age Child Care program provides children with a familiar place where they can be safe, active, learning and engaged during their time before and after school. Care for Lafayette & Hugh Mercer participants will be held at Hugh Mercer Elementary. To learn more, click the corresponding buttons below for an informational flyer and for the YMCA's website.

Flyer

Website

Our lead mentors for the 2023 - 2024 year are looking forwards to working with all the mentor and novice teachers of FCPS. Please give a warm welcome to the following; Aude Mann (Preschool Programs/Hugh Mercer), Jenni Brady (Lafayette), Pam Black (Walker-Grant), Audrey Rackley-Rio (James Monroe), and the program coordinator Tristin Fidler! We know that your leadership will make the mentor and mentee program stronger than ever this year.

Teach to Reach Teens (T2RT) will be having an event on July 17 from 10AM to 7PM where they are giving away free school supplies. Located on 311 Glover Street, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401. They will be there until all supplies are gone, clothes and hygiene items will be available too. Come out and get supplies while they last. 

Giant Food is, once again, partnering with our school's food service organization on a program to help support our children facing food insecurity.

From June 16 through July 27, 2023, everyone who shops at Giant Food will be invited to “ROUND UP AT THE REGISTER” their grocery purchase and donate the roundup amount to the program fund or donate online through Giant Delivers and Giant Pickup. Giant Food will also include the option to include your FLEX points that are converted to grocery dollars.

As we prepare for the 2023-2024 school year, we ask for your help to spread the word to ensure this program is a great success. The funds will be provided directly to our district food organization for use, at our discretion, to address food insecurity in our school communities.

FCPS looks forward to partnering with Giant Food in the fight against childhood hunger.