EHS Weekly Update - January 17, 2025

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Edison High School Weekly

Important Dates

Jan 20 - MLK Jr Day / Inauguration - No School

Jan 25 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Jan 28 - End of 2nd Quarter

Jan 28 - Edison Pyramid Choral Concert  at Edison HS  7pm - 9pm

Jan 29 - Teacher Workday- No School

Jan 29 - Parent Coffee RSVP here!

Feb 1 - Edison Academy Open House 10am- 1pm

Feb 6 - International Night

Feb 13 - Partner for Safe Teen Driving - Auditorium   7pm - 8:30pm

Feb 15 - Edison Theatre Cabaret Night -Auditorium   7pm - 9pm

Feb 17 - No School - President's Day

Feb 22 - Padres Latino Meeting -Cafeteria  10am - 12pm

 

FCPS School Year Calendar      Edison CalendarWiz


Collage of photos including people in the auditorium and students standing at tables talking to teachers

Students and families learned a lot about what Edison has to offer at Orientation to Course Selection and Curriculum Fair last night!


Table of Contents


Message from Principal Burke

Dear Edison Families,

This past Saturday, I attended my first all-girls wrestling tournament at Lewis High School. It was inspiring to see our student-athletes in action, showcasing the impressive skills they've developed in such a short time. Their hard work and determination were evident on the mat!

On Monday, we welcomed congressional staffers to Edison, who visited to learn more about how the federally funded mental health grant is being utilized in schools. Our Student Services team and Our Minds Matter Club did an outstanding job highlighting our work to support our students and sharing insights on additional resources that could further enhance our efforts. I’m so proud of their leadership and advocacy!

Last night, we hosted our Orientation to Course Selection and Curriculum Fair, and it was wonderful to see so many future Eagles and their families. They left with a better understanding of the course selection process and had the opportunity to explore the diverse electives Edison offers. The presentation materials are available here under the Course Selection section for those unable to attend.

As we move further into the winter season, our sports teams are in full swing! I encourage you to come out and support our Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball teams, Wrestling teams, Swim and Dive teams, Gymnastics teams, and Indoor Track teams. We have some incredibly talented student-athletes; your support means so much to them.

As we head into a long weekend, I hope everyone takes time to relax and recharge. I’ve even heard we might get more snow, so stay warm! On Monday, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As we reflect on his contributions to our country, let’s challenge ourselves to show equity, kindness, and compassion in our daily lives.

Thank you for all you do to make Edison a great community for our students, staff, and families.

Enjoy the weekend, and I’ll see you back at school on Tuesday!

Go Eagles!

Amanda Burke
Principal 


Girls basketball team standing together on a stage with coaches in front of a red, blue, and white sign
a girls basketball player standing on a stage with a metal around her neck

The Edison women’s basketball team competed in the KSA tournament held in Orlando, Florida, from December 19th to the 21st. The Eagles emerged victorious, clinching our division and securing a remarkable 3-0 record.

Sara Chawki was rightly recognized as the tournament MVP.

 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire community for their unwavering support and for making this incredible trip a reality!


Posse Scholarships

We are proud to announce that three seniors have received Posse Scholarships! Christopher LaStrape and Ayael Eslaquit will be attending UVA, and Kyle Patrick Janer will be attending Lewis and Clark University. Posse Scholars receive full-tuition leadership scholarships from partner colleges and universities. Posse is rooted in the belief that a small, diverse group of talented students, carefully selected and trained, can serve as a catalyst for individual and community development.

We are also proud to announce that Katherine Osorio-Olivares has received a QuestBridge scholarship to Denison University. QuestBridge grew from a core belief that all students deserve to reach their full potential, regardless of their financial background. From its roots as a summer program, its founders realized the importance of community for those from similar backgrounds and ongoing support throughout college. Students are considered for early admission and full four-year scholarship to partner colleges and universities. All finalists receive full scholarships to attend one of the programs partner institutions.

Congratulations Chris, Ayael, Kyle Patrick, and Katherine. We are so proud of what you have accomplished!


A Message From Our New Parent Liaison

a woman posing for a photo in front of a table and chairs

Hi, my name is Douha Kalouda, and I am excited to introduce myself as the new family liaison at Edison High School. I bring a background in helping communities access health services and resources. In this role, I'm here to support both students and families by facilitating communication and collaboration with the school to promote students’ academic success and overall well-being. 

If you have any questions about school events, services, academic progress, or resources available, I am here to help!

Please feel free to reach out to me directly at dkalouda@fcps.edu or 703-924-8074, and I look forward to meeting everyone and working together in the coming months.


Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Opportunity

FCPS is collaborating with Volunteer Fairfax for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Students and families can volunteer on Saturday, January 25, at Give Together at the James Lee Community Center. 

Volunteer Fairfax invites families to participate in thoughtful, engaging service projects working alongside local nonprofit and government agency partners across a variety of mission areas. Projects will include food packing, creating care packages, environmental stewardship, and support for animal welfare. This event is free and open to the public but registration is required.

There will also be Financial Literacy Workshops offered at Give Together for students in grades 3-12. If you would like to attend one of the workshops, sign up during check-in on January 25.


parent coffee with mrs burke january 29 9am - 10am lecture hall

RSVP here for the coffee with Mrs. Burke


Impact Aid Forms

Parents/Guardians may still submit Impact Aid forms via Parent VUE through the end of January. Remember that funds received through this collection help ensure your child's excellent education! Thank you for your support. 


International Night

Celebrate Diversity international night Thomas A Edison high school auditorium February 6, 2025 6pm

We invite you to join us for International Night – an exciting and festive celebration of the diverse cultures that make up our vibrant Edison community!

An evening of celebration, unity, and tradition, International Night is a celebration of cultural diversity.

To maintain the focus on cultural appreciation, political speeches and signage are not permitted.

International Night will be streamed LIVE for everyone to enjoy from the comfort of their homes, so no one has to miss out on this wonderful event! Seating is limited, so be sure to take advantage of the live stream option.

Tickets will go on sale at the end of January. Please check back for more details as we get closer to the event date.

Stay tuned for additional information and get ready for a night filled with cultural pride, performances, and community spirit!

We look forward to celebrating with you!


Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter

Based on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps. 

Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.

Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVue
Learn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child. 


Congressional Visit to Edison

4 adults standing in a classroom posing for a photo

This past Monday, we had the opportunity to share how we at Edison High School are benefiting from FCPS’ School Based Mental Health Grant from the US Department of Education. We were glad to have the opportunity to share and reflect on the work of our school-based mental health staff.

Staff from Congress and the Dept of Ed were particularly interested in the topics of Professional Development that our staff attended and how those skills had benefited our school community. They also had questions about our clinical staffing ratios and the ways we support teacher capacity to foster meaningful connections with students.

We are especially proud of our student leaders of Edison Minds Matter who provided a phenomenal presentation about the club and how they foster a climate of inclusion and mutual support around mental health at our school. As one of the congressional staffers told them, their presentation was far more informative and effective than many of the meetings they have with lobbyists and advocates on the Hill.

students and adults sitting at a long table smiling and looking at the camera

Academy Open Houses

Edison Academy Open House

Edison Academy invites you to attend our in-person Open House event on Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (snow date is Saturday, February 8).  We are located at 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA.  Our entrance is located at Door #13. You will have the opportunity to tour our state-of-the-art facilities, meet our instructors and current students, and learn more about our incredible courses!  Please feel free to contact Cassandra Deedy at (703) 924-8101 or cjdeedy@fcps.edu if you need any additional information.  Thank you and we’ll look forward to meeting you on February 1st.


Welding Open House Feb 20, 2025

Welding Open House

February 20, 2025

Bryant High School

2709 Popkins Ln
Alexandria, VA 22306

 

 

Questions?

Nora Covert,
Academy Counselor

nkcovert@fcps.edu

703-718-2752

West Potomac Academy
Open House

February 20, 2025

6500 Quander Road
Alexandria, VA 22307

 

Questions?

Nora Covert,
Academy Counselor

nkcovert@fcps.edu

703-718-2752

West Potomac Academy open house feb 20, 2025

No-Cost Therapy for High Schoolers

Is your high schooler experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, you may refer your child for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.


FCPS News In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

  • Dress Children Warmly
  • Proposed Construction Projects
  • Dual Language Immersion Lottery

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.  


Attendance Reporting

How to report an absence

Attendance Emails are no longer accepted or monitored. 

Edison Attendance Office  703-924-8080

All Day- Call and leave a message, ParentVue, or drop off a note
Late Arrival-
Call and leave a message, or send your student in with a note
Early Release-
Call and leave a message, or send your student in with a note

Please note: Last minute check outs can take up to 30 minutes to retrieve your student 


Yearbook - Ordering

Yearbook

Order your yearbook at:

www.yearbookordercenter.com

school code: 5211

Yearbook Advisor Vanessa Briggs

Visit us on instagram@edison.ybk


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