Make your voice heard!
Writing to local publications is an important and effective way to elevate issues and influence discussions concerning Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). Sometimes publications don’t know about an issue. Or maybe you want to get your letter published. Even if your letter isn’t published, the publication now is aware of an issue important to the FCPS Community.
Below is a list of publications covering Fairfax County, along with some tips on making your letter more effective and more likely to be published.
Connection Newspapers:
email: several depending on the locality, listed at: http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/contact/
online form: http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/contact/letter/
Fairfax Times
email: chase@fairfaxtimes.com
online form: n/a
InsideNoVA
email: n/a
online form: https://www.insidenova.com/site/forms/online_services/letter_editor/
Reston Now
email: news@restonnow.com
online form: n/a
Sun Gazette
online form: n/a
Tysons Reporter
email: news@tysonsreporter.com
online form: n/a
The Patch
Find your local Patch community here and submit your own story, post a DoBetterFCPS story, or contact the editor.
Washington Times
online form: n/a
Washington Post
Washington Examiner
online form: n/a
Topics to consider:
The Spring 2020 distance learning problems
The school reopening debate
Budget concerns
Declining academic performance
Refocusing on academic achievement instead of political issues
Increase in the high school drop out rate
One Fairfax
Redistricting/forced busing
Removing merit from the application process for Thomas Jefferson
Status of the Distance Learning Audit
Things to keep in mind when writing to a publication:
Keep your letter to one or two key points.
Keep the letters short - between 200 and 250 words (300 max)
Don't send the same letter to multiple publications at the same time. If your letter isn't published in a week, try another publication.
Be polite and avoid overly partisan commentary and inflammatory language
mention the main reason you are writing as early as possible in your letter
if sending via email, include your full name, home and/or business telephone number and address
proofread for typos and grammar
Facts are less persuasive than emotional stories. Paint a picture in the reader's mind rather than overly relying on stats.P