PatchChat Live: 'Preparing Our Children For The Future'

In the two months it's been live online, a Fairfax County Public Schools survey has generated more than 100 suggestions, ideas and new initiatives for the system to consider as it re-examines its priorities.

The survey, "Preparing Our Children For The Future," was l It asks community members—including those without children but whose taxes still go toward the school system—"What is the most important thing Fairfax County Public Schools should do to move it forward to prepare our children for the future?"

While the issue of sleep and pushing back school start time is the frontrunner among parent responses, with more about 2,600 votes in three different topic groups, the threads started by parents in the survey cover a range of issues, including honors courses, teaching to the test, healthier school lunches and higher teacher salaries.

At 10 a.m. Friday Oct. 7, Patch will host a livechat about the survey with Barbara Hunter, assistant superintendent for communications and community outreach for FCPS, and Greg Brandon, corresponding secretary for the Fairfax County Council of PTAs, web editor for the Fairfax Education Coalition and former at-large school board candidate.

The panelists will talk about how the survey works, its reach, the issues involved and next steps. During the chat, readers can also submit questions live. If you can't make the chat, email erica.hendry at patch.com with a question or leave it in the comments below.

Come back at 10 a.m. to join the chat. A full transcript of the chat can be replayed after it is completed.

Previous livechat: