Update at 7 p.m.: Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) are closing all school buildings until further notice. Schools will not be open Monday, March 16 as announced Saturday. All FCPS administrative offices are also closed until further notice. The food distribution program will expand to a total of 18 locations Monday, March 16. FCPS Superintendent Brabrand’s message may be found here for additional information.
Original: Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) are closing March 17 through April 10 in response to the coronavirus outbreak in the region. Saturday, the school district announced that a teacher at Springfield’s Lynbrook Elementary School tested positive for coronavirus. This is the first confirmed school-related case in Fairfax County.
All schools except Lynbrook Elementary School will be open Monday, March 16 for students to gather their belongings and for some students to pick up laptops.
Saturday, the school district superintendent Scott Brabrand sent the following message to families and staff:
March 14, 2020
Dear FCPS Families and Staff,
Fairfax County Public Schools has been notified by the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) that a staff member at Lynbrook Elementary School has tested presumptive positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The staff member is recovering at home and we wish our staff member a quick recovery. This is the first confirmed FCPS-related case.
We are working closely with the Health Department to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the staff member. The Health Department will be working to provide further guidance and monitoring. More information regarding this situation is posted on the Health Department’s website here. At this time, there is no evidence of sustained community spread of the novel coronavirus and the risk to the general FCPS community remains low.
FCPS was closed on Friday, March 13. Schools are scheduled to be open on Monday, March 16, to allow students to gather their belongings and for the distribution of laptops to some of our students; those activities will continue. However, Lynbrook Elementary will not be open on Monday. Lynbrook staff will coordinate directly with their families to make these arrangements.
The school building will remain closed while it is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
We will continue to work with our local and state health and government officials to navigate this evolving situation and provide supports. Thank you for all you are doing to stay healthy and informed.
All updates and information about COVID-19 will be posted on the FCPS website.
Sincerely,
Scott Brabrand, Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools
