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Friday, October 1, 2021, Edition 38
A Message from Dr. Terry Alban
Middletown High junior Haille Otto, left, assists a runner in distress during a cross country meet at Hereford High School in Baltimore County. Courtesy photo by Jessica Ballenger Hoyle.
During the first cross country meet of her career, Middletown High junior Haille Otto encountered a runner who needed assistance on the challenging Hereford High course.
Haille had a choice: She could have focused on her own individual performance and kept running. Or she could have stopped to help a competitor she did not know.
Haille chose to help. This kind gesture showed extraordinary sportsmanship and selflessness. The Frederick News-Post noticed. So too did countless others who widely shared a social media photo of her lending a helping hand.
Sportsmanship is an essential component of our high school interscholastic athletics program. So too is developing leadership skills. I am delighted that Haille’s gesture received a lot of publicity; it is delightful to see positive stories shared in the media! I am proud knowing that our students exhibit these positive character traits every day in class and in extracurricular activities. You can’t celebrate kindness enough!
Today marks the first day of National Bullying Prevention Month. National Character Counts Week is Oct.18-22. During this month, we remind students of the six Character Counts pillars: caring, citizenship, fairness, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness. These traits are essential components of welcoming school and community environments.
They are also essential for teammates because it is when we support each other that we make it to the finish line and accomplish our goals. That’s what #TogetherFCPS is all about.
Note: This Superintendent’s Update e-newsletter was started with the goal of keeping the entire community updated on our progress during the global health crisis. We have received a lot of positive feedback. As a result, we will continue to share updates with you.
Starting in October, we will be reverting back to sharing this e-newsletter twice a month. The e-newsletter will be redesigned and will feature updates on our emergence from the global health crisis and celebrations of our students and staff. The next update will be Friday, October 15.
Have a great weekend!
Photo of the Week
Students stopped by the FCPS Public Affairs booth at The Great Frederick Fair to write notes to their teachers.
In The News
Nominations are now open for the FCPS Veteran In Education Service Award.
Frederick Community College hosts College Night next week.
The Academy for the Fine Arts has announced the dates for its next Shadow Days!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
A variety of instructional supports are being offered this year for FCPS students.
The Board of Education of Frederick County and the Frederick County Teachers Association have reached an agreement on a tentative three-year contract.
Some FCPS students are getting ready for a Budget Challenge!
Reminders
Friday, October 1 Interims issued
Monday, October 4 FCPS Marching Band Festival at Oakdale High
Wednesday, October 6 Walk/bike to school day
Health Updates Hub
FCPS is updating its health metrics dashboard twice per week: The FCPS Health Metrics Dashboard is updated on Mondays and Wednesdays around noon with the latest COVID-19 positive cases reported by school. We also share terminology definitions, Frederick County health metrics data, and Maryland school outbreaks, a database updated weekly by the Maryland Department of Health.
FCPS response when a positive COVID-19 test is reported: We have created these infographics to share the immediate steps taken when a positive case is reported to FCPS:
FCPS Response to Covid-19 (English) FCPS Response to Covid-19 (Spanish)
How contact tracing works: When a positive COVID-19 case is reported, FCPS begins contact tracing to identify close contacts. These infographics share our process:
Contact Tracing information (English) Contact Tracing information (Spanish)
Our communication when COVID-19 positives are reported: Once contact tracing is completed, we begin the communication process to inform families and employees of positive cases. Listed below are letters sent for various circumstances:
Individual is considered a close contact Individual is considered a close contact and is vaccinated Staff notification of a positive COVID-19 test Community notification of a positive COVID-19 test when not a close contact
Informational videos: Questions about our cleaning and disinfecting process? Need more details about how our buildings are being ventilated? Curious about our contact tracing quarantine protocols and procedures? These videos help answer many commonly asked questions:
Video: Cleaning and Disinfecting Video: Ventilation and More Video: Contact tracing and quarantine protocols and procedures
School Covid-19 Call Center: Community members who have an immediate question or concern can call the COVID-19 call center. Contact information is included in our informational fliers:
Highlights
Tweet of the Week - Art Teacher Megan Smith talks about a retro-photography class at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School.
In A Minute: Our weekly look at what is happening throughout FCPS!
FCPS Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month #SomosFCPS
FCPS Free & Reduced Meals:
Video in English ... Video in Spanish