SEL Screener Reports will be mailed home in January

FCPS will be mailing the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener reports to families around January 1^st. As you receive these reports, consider using the Family Guide to talk with your student about their results. If you chose to opt your child out of this screener, you will not receive a screener report. There will be another SEL Screener window in March, tentatively scheduled for March 13 and March 17.

You may complete the opt-out process through the “Student Information” page on SIS ParentVue. At the top of the page, click “Edit Information”. Then, the SEL Screener Participation is the second option. Or, you may complete the opt-out process by printing and filling out the form from the main SEL information page (translations are available here). Paper forms should be returned to the Main Office. Please contact your student's school counselor or subschool assistant principal with questions. If you do not want your student to take part in the SEL screener, please return the opt-out form to the school or complete the opt-out via your SIS ParentVUE account.

Social Emotional Learning Screener

Translations of this letter in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese can be found at this link.

NOTIFICATION OF TESTING: Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener, November 2 or November 4, 2022.

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) commits to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning (SEL). The School Board has approved a screener to review students’ skills and experiences in these areas. FCPS staff will use the screener to identify strengths and needs for students in grades K-12. The screener provides information regarding students’ experiences and how staff can support their needs.

SEL skills include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The screener will review these skills, as well as students’ relationships, feelings of belonging, feelings about their school environment, and mood. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success.

All students in grades K-12 will participate in the screener twice a year, in the fall and spring. For students in grades K-2, teachers will complete a survey on their observations of students' skills and experiences. Students in grades 3-12 will reflect and report on their own skills and experiences. Screener data will only be accessible to teachers, administrators, and staff with legitimate educational interests. Results will be maintained in secure files and databases accessible only to these individuals. Screener results will be used with other data to inform practices for SEL skill development and mental wellness. Screener data will also help staff plan interventions for students with identified needs. Parents and guardians will receive an individualized report regarding their student’s screener results following each assessment window in SIS ParentVUE. School staff will be available to discuss results with families on planned support.

Schools will set specific dates for testing in each class. At Lake Braddock, the SEL Screener will be given during Advisory on November 2 or November 4. If you do not want your student to take part in the SEL screener, please complete the opt-out process by Friday, October 28. You may complete the opt-out process through the “Student Information” page on SIS ParentVue. At the top of the page, click “Edit Information”. Then, the SEL Screener Participation is the second option. Or, you may complete the opt-out process by printing and filling out the form from the main SEL information page (translations are available here). Paper forms should be returned to the Main Office. Please contact your student's school counselor or subschool assistant principal with questions. If you do not want your student to take part in the SEL screener, please return the opt-out form to the school or complete the opt-out via your SIS ParentVUE account.

More information, including a short video about the SEL screener in FCPS and the screener questions, can be found on the SEL Screener webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43892). Please contact your student's school counselor or subschool assistant principal with questions.

Lindsey Kearns Acting Principal