4 Days Of In-Person Learning Planned For Some Fairfax Students

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Public Schools plans to expand four days of in-person learning to additional students throughout April.

Monday's announcement follows the transition of student groups to hybrid learning on various dates in February and March. Many students enrolled in hybrid learning are receiving two days of in-person learning, but certain groups such as students with disabilities and Early Head Start receive four days of in-person instruction.

“I am thrilled to announce that FCPS is continuing to move forward with bringing back additional students to in-person learning — particularly our students who are experiencing the greatest learning challenges," said FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand in a statement. "Overall, we see this as very good news for FCPS students, families, staff, and the community and will help us prepare for five days of in-person instruction this fall."

Four days of in-person learning will be offered to additional students based on available space and staffing capacity at each school. During the weeks of April 6 and April 13, FCPS will offer four days of in-person learning to PreK through 12th grade students with the greatest learning challenges. These students are identified by staff using Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. During the week of April 20, FCPS will offer four days of in-person learning to students whose families indicated an in-person learning preference since fall and are attending two days in school, dependent on capacity and staffing. Schools will contact families directly.

"The transition will undoubtedly look somewhat different in every school and vary widely as each school has varying in-person attendance," Brabrand wrote to families. "There are also space and staffing challenges at each school, and in each classroom, and these are factors that impact the ability for each school to welcome back additional students to in-person opportunities."

The expanded in-person learning takes into account updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that recommends 3 feet of physical distancing in some circumstances. CDC recommends 3 feet of distancing in elementary schools with universal mask use, regardless of whether COVID-19 community transmission is high or low. In middle and high schools, CDC recommends 3 feet of distancing with universal mask use and low, moderate, or substantial community transmission. When community transmission is high, CDC recommends 6 feet of physical distancing in middle and high schools.

Because Fairfax County currently has high community transmission, FCPS will expand capacity for in-person learning but maintain 6 feet of physical distancing until community transmission is reduced.

A FCPS spokesperson indicated the school district anticipates students currently in virtual learning will remain virtual for the remaining school year.

Brabrand will host a virtual community town hall on Wednesday, April 7 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The town hall will be available on FCPS cable channel 99 or online. Questions may be submitted in advance to returntoschool@fcps.edu or by calling 1-800-231-6359 live during the town hall.