School-Based Technology Specialist Alex Dilldine receives a flower from a student at Wakefield Forest Elementary School for Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week.

🙏 Thank You, Teachers and Staff, for Being Exceptional 

Happy Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! Watch this video for a message from Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid expressing her gratitude for all of FCPS’ hardworking employees. 

🏆 27 FCPS Students Named National Merit Scholarship Winners

Twenty-seven students from seven Fairfax County high schools have been named winners of $2,500 scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Scholarship winners are part of a group of approximately 2,500 National Merit finalists chosen to receive scholarships in 2024, primarily financed by the NMSC. See the list of students. 

Students Take Top Honors at FBLA Leadership Conference

Twenty-four FCPS students won first place awards at the 2024 Virginia Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference. More than 100 students placed in the top four in their event and qualified to compete in the National Leadership Conference in June. Read about their experience. 

🐟 Swimming Upstream: Centreville Elementary Releases Classroom-Raised Trout

After spending months raising trout in classroom fish tanks, students at Centreville Elementary School were excited to see the results of their environmentally-conscious work when they released the trout into a natural stream. Read how their hard work and collaboration paid off. 

Register Today for FCPS Summer Camps

Registration for FCPS Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA/E-IFTA) camps closes on Friday, June 7. Tuition is waived for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Bus transportation is available from select FCPS high schools and middle schools. Learn more about Summer Learning and Fun for Students. 

FCPS 2025 Budget — What’s Happening Next

The next steps in FCPS’ budget process are:

• Thursday, May 9: Approved budget presented to the School Board.
• Tuesday, May 14: School Board holds a public hearing on the budget. Register to speak by 6:30 p.m., on Monday, May 13.
• Wednesday, May 15: Second day of School Board public hearings, if needed.
• Tuesday, May 21: School Board budget work session.
• Thursday, May 23: School Board adopts FCPS’ approved budget.

For more details on our budget, view FCPS budget documents.

Megan Sawant Elected 2024-25 School Board Student Rep

Megan Sawant, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, has been elected by the countywide Student Advisory Council to serve a one-year term as student representative to the Fairfax County School Board. Her term will begin July 1. 

Learn more about Megan. 

✨ Fostering Connection and Academic Growth

Learn how FCPS is combating chronic absenteeism by inviting students to attend school during a break to foster a sense of connection and provide academic growth opportunities. 

☀️ Enjoy Learning, Fun, and Resources 

Stop by Woodson High School on Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza! Families are invited to take part in engaging educational activities designed to spark curiosity and inspire growth. Community organizations will be providing tips about resources and helpful information for families. Enjoy face painting, food, music, a moon bounce, a petting zoo, storytime, and student performances — all at no cost!

Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage for details and register to attend. Registration is not required, but it’s helpful for planning purposes.

Help Protect Teens and Young Adults from Fentanyl

Yesterday was Fentanyl Awareness Day. Watch this video to learn more about counterfeit pills, and share the information with teens and young adults in your life. Visit the Fentanyl Awareness Day website for more resources on how to help raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl including a conversation guide, fast facts, and shareable social media posts. 

Family Summit Resources Available Online

Did you miss the FCPS Family Summit in April? Videos of the welcome session, guest speakers, service awards, and online special education resource fair are now available. View our YouTube playlist to find helpful information on parenting, opioids, accommodations, special services, and other topics. Read about the speakers and sessions on the Family Summit webpage. 

⏰ Share Your Thoughts on Middle School Start Times

Attend a forum to hear about adolescent sleep research from an expert, learn about the ongoing middle school start times study, and participate in small group discussions. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Breakout sessions will be held for middle school students to share their voices. Students are encouraged to attend! 

Register by clicking on one of the following dates: 

• Monday, May 13, 6:30-8 p.m., virtual forum. 
• Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
• Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School. 

While registration is not required, it does help with planning. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.

🏫 Apply for Pre-K or Early Head Start

FCPS pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying income-eligible children ages six weeks to four years living in Fairfax County. Watch this video to learn more (also available in Spanish). 

Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for 3-year-olds through September 30. 

Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from pregnancy to 2 years old.

Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Space is limited and based on need, not first come, first served. Applications are accepted online, by email, by mail, or in person at FCPS’ Leis Center location in Falls Church. For questions about your application or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).

Middle School Students Learn About Jobs at Career Showcase

Liberty Middle School students enrolled in AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) coursework recently participated in a career showcase conducted by Clark Construction. During the showcase, students learned about the many types of construction jobs and career pathways. Learn more in the upcoming issue of FCPS’ Partnerships Newsletter. Subscribe today! 

👩‍⚕️ Public Health Nurses Make a Positive Impact in FCPS

Today is School Nurse Day! Thank you to all the public health nurses who take care of our students. Find out why Shanie Grealish, above, became a public health nurse for FCPS. 

Next School Board Meeting Scheduled for May 9 at 7 p.m.

The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, May 9, at 7 p.m.  

Topics on the agenda include:

• FY25 Approved Budget
• Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R) 
• Awarding of Contracts

View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.