School Board Springfield District | Fairfax County Public Schools

February Newsletter: School Start Times, Budget and Capital Improvement Plan Updates, and 2025 Teen Job Fairs

School Board Springfield District3 days 3 hours ago

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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Hello, Springfield District,

Like all of us, I was heartbroken for our FCPS families impacted by the tragic plane crash at Washington National Airport. Their loss rippled through all our communities and gives us a renewed reminder of why we need to work hard to support each other. Please join me in keeping these families in your thoughts.

Another hope I would like to share with you this month is that you take a second to learn more about the amazing contributions of Black Americans as we celebrate Black History Month this February. Black history is world history. While it should be recognized year-round, dedicating this month ensures that the legacies of Black individuals are not forgotten, but rather honored and carried forward.

I also want to share more about my work over the last month. After finishing up with the never-ending days of January, inches of snow, and illnesses that may have hit your family too, there are several exciting and important things taking place. I was thrilled to join the Region 4 Regional Assistant Superintendent and his team to present South County Middle School’s principal, Justin Simmons, with the Outstanding New Principal Award. I had a 24-hour period where I was able to see three shows showcasing our incredibly talented FCPS students: one professional performance in Washington, D.C. with two FCPS students, Fairfax Academy’s Once Upon a One More Time, and one night of South County High School’s Theatre Arts Student Directed One Acts. It was an amazing day! I also joined some of my colleagues at the Virginia School Board Association’s Capital Conference in Richmond. It was wonderful to meet with some of our representatives from the Springfield District and hear more about the work they are doing for us. And, I finished up last week with the winter graduations for both Bryant and Mountain View High Schools.

This upcoming month promises to be just as important as we work together as a Board to support our students and staff in a myriad of ways. I do have one important thing that I want to point out that is coming up on the Board’s schedule today. As you may have heard, we are looking at options for an adjustment of middle school start times, but I want to make sure that everyone knows that these options include shifts for the start times for all schools. The proposed options are available in the chart below.

The work session will be held in room 1600 at the Gatehouse Administration Center. It will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. The meeting will also be recorded for future viewing on the FCPS School Board YouTube channel.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out and let me know what you think as we move forward with our discussions.

I will be in touch soon!

Sandy Anderson

This newsletter includes information on the following issues:

Upcoming School Board Meetings
School Board Work
Superintendent Updates
Springfield District Scene
Student Opportunities
Community News
Family and Student Resources
In Case you Missed It
Quick Links

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Meeting information and materials will be posted to BoardDocs.

February 18 at 2 p.m. - Governance Committee Meeting
February 18 at 5 p.m. - Work Session: Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget and Middle School Start Times
February 20 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Strategic Plan Goal 3 Report, FY 2026 Proposed Budget, etc.
February 25 at 3 p.m. - Joint Board of Supervisors and School Board Budget Committee Meeting
March 11 at 10:30 a.m. - Work Session: Strategic Plan Goal 4 Report and Student Rights & Responsibilities
March 13 at 7 p.m. - Coates Elementary School and Parklawn Elementary School Boundary Study Scopes, etc.

Please note that times and topics are subject to change.

The work sessions and meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and the FCPS website. Both will be recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube channel.

For Spanish speakers, to watch recorded School Board meetings, or live during regular meetings, visit the FCPS en Espanol YouTube channel or scan the QR code below.

Visit the Community Participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.

Are you interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on School Board votes the morning after the School Board meeting.

Please contact the board clerk if you need language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting. Find your School Board members and how to contact them on the School Board Members webpage.

Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español

Para ver las reuniones de Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las Reuniones Ordinarias en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español .

School Board Work Fiscal Year 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program

At the February 6 regular meeting, the School Board voted to approve the Proposed FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). A CIP is a working budget document that shows the timing and costs of improvement to school buildings, such as renovations, additions, and new schools.

Renovating existing facilities is necessary to enhance safety, modernize learning spaces, and boost energy efficiency to elevate educational quality and student well-being. Additionally, constructing new schools addresses the increasing student enrollment in rapidly growing areas of the county. This comprehensive approach ensures every student benefits from a safe, accessible, and innovative learning environment, in alignment with our broader commitment to excellence in education and the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan.

The CIP includes the construction of two new elementary schools; renovations at 18 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools; and relocation of modular buildings. These projects are detailed in FCPS’ FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program.

As the ninth largest school district in the nation, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) maintains the square footage of about four Pentagons worth of infrastructure in order to support more than 180,000 students.

FCPS continually looks for ways to be fiscally responsible by keeping the needs of students, families, and taxpayers top of mind. Unlike some other neighboring states, schools in Virginia mostly rely on bond funding from taxpayers instead of money from the state. FCPS receives the least amount of funding for building and repairs (see slide 44) on a per-square-foot basis compared to other nearby school divisions. Because of this, there is a growing list of repairs that need to be done, which could lead to expensive emergency repairs in the future. The current annual bond of $230M is not sufficient to comply with Policy 8258 to maintain a 20-25 year renovation cycle. FCPS is currently in a 41-year renovation cycle.

FCPS facilities host 500,000 community events each year. Often, these spaces are offered at no cost to organizations such as:

Homeowners associations.
4H and scouting groups.
County employee organizations.
Cultural and civic groups.

FCPS' new buildings will follow the latest research and best practices for creating safe and effective learning environments for students, showing the district's dedication to offering every student a high-quality education. Information about all capital projects will be posted on project web pages on the FCPS website.

FCPS capital projects are funded through bond referendums approved by county voters. Learn more about the FY 2026-30 CIP update, current capital projects, and more on the FCPS website.

View more information on BoardDocs. Watch the full meeting.

FCPS Proposed Budget Progress

The School Board discussed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at their February 4 work session. They discussed details regarding student enrollment and investments in students requiring additional support, market comparison data for surrounding school divisions, and an update on progress toward achieving the Baldrige Award for Performance Excellence. Baldrige is a framework used to assess and improve organizational performance across various sectors, including education.

The School Board also held a public hearing on the FY 2026 Proposed Budget on Tuesday, February 4, where they invited the community to share their feedback on the budget.

Breaking Down the Budget

More than 85% of the budget is dedicated to instruction and reflects the needs of our community’s young people in response to the changing world around us. Budget priorities include providing competitive compensation for all employees, including a 7% salary increase for all staff.

Our families want their children in high-quality schools with the best teachers who provide rigorous academic experiences. We must provide competitive compensation to attract and retain our outstanding educators, administrators, and other school-based and operational staff dedicated to the success of our students.

The proposed 7% salary increase would likely move FCPS to the highest starting salary for teachers with a master’s degree among our neighboring counties and greatly improve our recruitment efforts amidst an ongoing teacher shortage.

Next Steps

On Tuesday, February 18, the Fairfax County executive will present the county’s Advertised Budget, and the Fairfax County School Board will hold a work session on the FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget. View FCPS’ Budget Development Calendar.

Proclamations

I was pleased to support the following proclamations at the Board’s February 6 regular meeting.

Superintendent Updates 📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review: Next Steps

Last week, FCPS completed its final community boundary review meeting for Phase 1. Thanks to the more than 2,500 staff, families, and community members who shared their perspectives. Your engagement ensures that our work remains inclusive, transparent, and impactful.

The comprehensive boundary review remains in Phase 1 through the spring as data collection and analysis continue with the consultant. During this stage, we will assess current boundaries and develop draft boundary scenarios guided by community input. At this time, no boundary changes have been proposed.

Next steps include identifying key themes to shape the boundary scenarios. Draft scenarios will be shared for further community feedback in Phase 2

Please stay informed and involved! Visit the FCPS Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage and sign up to receive the School Boundary Review newsletter. If you have any additional questions or comments, please complete this form. Thank you for your continued participation in this process!

Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…

There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:

Determine eligibility.
Identify your local school.
Gather documents.
Fill out forms.
Schedule an appointment.

After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation and any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process.

💻 Try Online Registration

Online registration for the 2025-26 school year is open for parents/caregivers who would like to enroll their child in FCPS for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process.

When registering, parents/caregivers will create (or log in to an existing) SIS ParentVUE account.

Virtual Job and Career Information Fair

Looking for job opportunities or a career path supporting education? Join us on Wednesday, February 19, from 6-7:30 p.m. for a job and career information fair.

FCPS offers a wealth of opportunities for professionals transitioning from federal and state government roles into the public education sector. A dedication to public service could make you a strong candidate for both educational and operational positions. By joining FCPS, you can continue making a meaningful impact while embarking on a new career in public education.

If you hold a bachelor’s degree, you can become provisionally licensed to teach in just a few weeks. Beyond teaching, FCPS offers a variety of operational roles in departments such as finance, human resources, safety and security, food service, transportation, and facilities.

FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will open the information session. Chief Human Resources Officer William Solomon and other FCPS HR leaders will talk about all the exciting opportunities available at the school division. Attendees can visit tables where they can learn more about open positions, as well as salary, benefits, and retirement plans.

Learn more about the job and career fair and employment opportunities with FCPS. Register online.

🧲 Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools

Three FCPS elementary magnet schools — Hunters Woods, Bailey’s Primary, and Bailey’s Upper — provide enhanced learning programs in science, technology, and performing arts.

Registration for the 2025-26 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 4, through Friday, April 4, 2025. Learn more about the programs on the Elementary Magnet Schools page and information on the magnet lottery on our Registration Page.

Springfield District Scene

Shout out to Centreville High School’s College and Career Center Specialist, Kara Stamper, for organizing her 3rd Annual Speaker Series in which students are encouraged to attend sessions with guest speakers to hear about the training required, daily responsibilities, success, and challenges in their career fields. Students have had the opportunity to listen to a variety of workplace professionals from many different career fields!

Centreville’s One-Centreville Club promotes a community connection between Centreville High School and Centreville Elementary School. High school students visit Kindergarten, first and second-grade classrooms throughout the year to read a book and complete a related activity. The high school students love the opportunity to be leaders in the elementary classes and the elementary students love working with high schoolers!

Creativity, critical thinking, and a little competitive spirit were on display as Chantilly Academy students in STEM Engineering classes designed and constructed solar-powered racecars. This project required students to work in teams and use hands-on engineering skills to build their racecars. Students constructed their racecars to have the fastest vehicle. To add an extra challenge, each car was required to carry a payload, two ping pong balls, that would stay in place the entire length of the racetrack.

Congratulations to Chantilly High School’s Speech and Debate Team for winning their 13th consecutive Region Championship under Coach Barbara Clougherty!

Congratulations to Fairfax High School Principal Dr. Georgina Aye for being named the Region 5 2025 Outstanding Principal!

Fairfax recently hosted a group of students from the Chinese Delegation. It was a fantastic opportunity to build bridges, share traditions, and celebrate the rich diversity that makes our school and community so special. Students engaged in PE, a building tour, lunchtime fun, and made Chinese lanterns in our Chinese World Language class.

Franklin Middle School students in Mr. Adams’ Engineering class built CO2 cars fabricated from a block of wood and raced them on an 80-foot track!

Congratulations to Irving Middle School 8th grade physical science teacher Marissa Bossard for being selected to participate in the JASON Argonaut Program in Portland, Oregon this summer! She was one of 10 teachers selected from across the country to participate in the program!

Key Center was recently visited by NBC4 to film a special feature about the school’s students and programs. The segment highlights the amazing work happening in their classrooms and showcases their students!

Congratulations to Robinson Secondary School Cheer Coach Jocelyn Baptiste for being named the 2024-25 VHSL Class 6 All-State Competition Cheer Coach of the Year!

All Rocky Run Middle School Science 7 classes visited the library’s makerspace, the Inspiration Studio, to create 3D cell models as part of their Cell Invasion project. Students collaborated, negotiated, and learned together. Students then used their laptops to take a photo of the model and label it in Google Slides. It was a true blended learning project that allowed students to demonstrate their knowledge in a hands-on way.

Congratulations to South County High School’s Christian Turner for finishing in third place nationally as a member of the 4 x 200-meter relay team at the Virginia Showcase, one of the biggest indoor track meets in the country featuring top teams from across the country and Jamaica! The team also set a new school record of 1:26:55!

South County STEM Advanced Engineering students put their engineering skills to the test. After weeks of designing, testing, and refining their t-shirt launchers, students brought classroom concepts to life by launching t-shirts in the gym bleachers!

Congratulations to South County Middle School Justin Simmons for being named the Region 4 2025 Outstanding New Principal!

🎨 Students Excel in 2025 Regional Scholastic Art Awards

The 2025 Regional Scholastic Art Awards program has awarded Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students in grades 7-12 a total of 809 awards for outstanding artwork, including 210 Gold Key awards, 235 Silver Key awards, and 364 Honorable Mention awards.

Artworks were submitted and judged in categories including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, sculpture, digital art, design, architecture, jewelry, fashion, film and animation, mixed media, and art portfolios.

An exhibition of Gold Key artworks will be displayed at Northern Virginia Community College’s Ernst Community Cultural Center in Annandale from February 17 to March 13, with a Silver Key award ceremony on Tuesday, March 4, and a Gold Key award ceremony on Wednesday, March 5.

The Scholastic Art Awards program, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, is the largest, longest-running recognition program of its kind in the United States. Established in 1923, the awards have recognized teens who have become some of our nation’s most celebrated artists, including Richard Avedon, Robert Indiana, Phillip Pearlstein, and Andy Warhol.

Updates and announcements about the exhibition and award ceremony are available at https://www.artandwriting.org/regions/VA002A.

Congratulations to the following Springfield District students!

Centreville High School: Abigail Carpenter, Faith Choe, Anneliese Foley, Clara Harris, Arianna Portella, Ace Seifried, and Sophia Shin

Chantilly High School: Morgan Brkic, Nancy Dinh, Connor Edwards, Shantanu Karthikeyan, Jessica Metzer, Soumya Mhatre, Sharif Mokhsijerjian, Forest Lan, Margaret Murphy, Pranathi Vanguri, Destiny Wallace, and Junseo Yoo

Frost Middle School: Margaret Strafford

Katherine Johnson Middle School: Esther Kim and Aritri Mondal

Lake Braddock Secondary School: Cora Ahlstrom, Vicky Chen, Emerson Cutler, Milaena Le, Nico Lenz, Grey Mansaray, Casey McEnaney, Angela Molina, Lillian Pence, Victoria Simmons, Ein Vasiliev, Chenyue Wang, and Abbie Williams

Oakton High School: Jamie Choi, Isabelle Edwards, Yichen Hao, Kylie Liu, Yelyzaveta Sharova, and Naomi Welffens

Robinson Secondary School: Aly Wamboldt

South County High School: Jacob Catalano, Karina Goulding, Sophie Hesselton, Jae-ee Jung, and Vivian Ngo

South County Middle School: Ariana Mather

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Tech: Sydney Eom, Leah Ham, Sribhaavya Jilludumudi, and Justin Yu

February 4, 2025 Public Hearing on the FY 2026 Proposed Budget

School Board Springfield District3 weeks ago

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The Fairfax County School Board welcomes public comment on the FY 2026 Proposed Budget at a Public Hearing. This public hearing is scheduled to take place at the Luther Jackson Middle School Auditorium at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

The Speaker's List opened at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025 and is now open through 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 3, 2025. The Fairfax County School Board Office will notify speakers (via email) the morning of February 4, 2025.

Register to Speak at the Budget Public Hearing (in-person or live via Zoom)
FY 2026 Proposed Budget
Information on Speaking at School Board Meetings
Watch School Board meetings and public hearings.

Any questions, written statements, and copies of testimony may be submitted to [email protected].

FY 2026 Proposed Budget Timeline

Division Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid presented the FY 2026 Proposed Budget to the School Board at the January 23, 2025 regular meeting.
The School Board will hold work sessions on the proposed budget on February 4, 2025 and February 18, 2025.
The School Board will hold a public hearing on February 4, 2025.
The School Board will take action to approve the Advertised Budget at the February 20, 2025 regular meeting.

Upcoming Regular School Board Meeting

The next regular board meeting will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Luther Jackson Middle School, at 7:00 p.m.

The Fairfax County School Board

FY 2026 Proposed Budget, Public Hearing, and Job Fair

School Board Springfield District3 weeks 1 day ago

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Hello, Springfield District,

At the School Board’s January 23 regular meeting, the Superintendent presented her proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget. See the details below. The Board will discuss the proposed budget at our Tuesday, February 4 work session beginning at 10:30 a.m. The work session will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and the FCPS website. Both will be recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube channel. The School Board will listen to public comments regarding the FY 2026 Proposed Budget at a public hearing on Tuesday, February 4 at 6 p.m. Find information about signing up to speak at the hearing.

Additionally, FCPS is hosting an instructional job fair on February 1, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lake Braddock Secondary School. See the job fair details.

I will be in touch soon!

Sandy Anderson

First Look: Superintendent’s FY 2026 Proposed Budget

Superintendent Reid’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 anchors FCPS as our nation’s education destination by keeping the needs of students, families, and taxpayers top of mind. These needs include recognizing taxpayer fatigue, acknowledging chronic state underfunding, meeting the expectations of our families, and meeting the changing needs of today’s students.

This proposed budget is fiscally responsible and invests in excellence — not just for FCPS but for all in Fairfax County who want a strong community with successful young people, dedicated educators and support staff, and a thriving economy.

The FY 2026 Proposed Budget totals $4 billion. This is a net increase of $297.1 million, or 7.9%, over the FY 2025 Approved Budget. As part of this proposal, Dr. Reid is requesting an additional $268.3 million, a 10.4% increase from what was provided in the prior year’s transfer. This transfer request represents a 5.6% increase from last year’s request.

Maximizing Resources

FCPS continually looks for ways to make the most of our resources. But we need to make sure we’re saving smartly — being efficient while still providing a world-class education for our students. That means saving while ensuring we’re still investing in our educators, our students, and the future of our community. We’re proud to be highly rated for our schools and our businesses. We want to keep it that way and continue to grow.

Under this Proposed Budget, FCPS is maximizing its resources while focusing our attention on initiatives that align with the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan. With cost savings in mind, no new initiatives are sought this year. Our administrative staffing is lean — well below neighboring districts. We believe that most of our budget should be spent in the classroom. In fact, more than 85% of the budget is dedicated to instruction.

Competitive Compensation, Multiyear Initiatives, and Targeted Investments

FCPS ranks fifth among eight neighboring districts for master’s level new teacher salaries and seventh for midpoint and maximum teacher salaries. That is why the majority of the budget increase is set aside for a 7.0% salary increase for all staff. We must provide competitive compensation to attract and retain our outstanding educators, administrators, and other school-based and operational staff dedicated to the success of our students.

The budget includes funding to continue multiyear initiatives, including inclusive preschool, certified athletic trainers at each of our high schools, family liaisons, and fine and performing arts stipends. Additionally, there are targeted investments for security updates, including vestibules, security tools, and additional cameras.

Chronic Underfunding

FCPS, along with other Virginia school divisions, has been chronically and critically underfunded by the state for years. Virginia schools receive less funding per student than our neighboring states and the national average. We’re shorted an estimated $568.7 million annually for FCPS alone. That’s approximately $3,100 per student. This chronic underfunding makes FCPS reliant on county funding, which has a significant impact on taxpayers.

Despite this chronic underfunding, FCPS students continue to thrive, outperforming the state in key metrics. Please visit our Sharing Our Success webpage to learn more. These are not just FCPS’ successes — they represent the success of our entire community and the limitless potential of our community’s children.

Thank you for your continued support of Fairfax County Public Schools, and thank you to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for working alongside us to support our students, empower our educators, and secure the future of our community.

Last Thursday night’s budget presentation video and slides are available on our website. I encourage you to keep up with the budget process by watching our upcoming February 4 School Board work session or visiting the FCPS Budget webpage.

Watch the presentation. View the presentation slides.

Speak at the FY 2026 Proposed Budget Public Hearing

The Fairfax County School Board will hold a public hearing on the FY 2026 Proposed Budget on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in the Luther Jackson Middle School Auditorium at 6 p.m. The School Board invites community members to testify at this public hearing on the FY 2026 Proposed Budget. Registration for the Speaker's List will be open through 6 p.m., on Monday, February 3, 2025. Register to speak in person or via Zoom. The Fairfax County School Board Office will notify speakers (via email) no later than the morning of February 4, 2025.

Instructional Job Fair on February 1

Fairfax County Public Schools wants you to join our team! We seek educator talent with strong student engagement skills and a passion for positively influencing our school communities.

We are hosting an in-person job fair on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Lake Braddock Secondary School, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

There will be networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools. Employment offers for 2025-26 school year vacancies may be extended during the fair.

Register to attend by Friday, January 31, 2025. Questions may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at 571-423-3000.

Find more information on the FCPS website.

Quick Links

2024-2025 | 2025-2026 | 2026-27 (not approved)

Contact: Sandy Anderson | 571-423-1080

Executive Administrative Assistant: Stephanie Sheridan | 571-423-1065

January Newsletter: Student and Parent Opportunities and Happy New Year

School Board Springfield District4 weeks ago

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Hello, Springfield District,

While it has certainly been a cold start to our year, I hope you and your family have had a great start to 2025. As many do, I have taken some time to reflect on what’s important to me in my role as the representative for the Springfield District, and I am excited to get to work this year to support all our students and staff!

One such opportunity to support our students this year is with the 2025-2026 Basal Resource Adoption for Mathematics. If you are interested in representing the Springfield District on the Mathematics Instructional Resource Review Committee, please complete this form by midnight, Wednesday, February 5, 2025. More information about this is available below.

I also was able to recently attend a Safety & Security Table Top Training at one of the elementary schools in my district. It was a wonderful experience to see how hard our staff works to prepare to keep our students safe during anything that may happen in one of our schools. As a parent, it certainly gave me peace of mind about my children in FCPS schools. I thought it might be helpful to remind you about a few tools and resources we have as parents to understand safety terms and some frequently asked questions to review and help support your student before and after school lockdown drills.

I hope you all stay warm and safe out there!

I will be in touch soon!

Sandy Anderson

This newsletter includes information on the following issues:

Upcoming School Board Meetings
School Board Work
Superintendent Updates
Springfield District Scene
Student Opportunities
Community News
Family and Student Resources
In Case you Missed It
Quick Links

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Meeting information and materials will be posted to BoardDocs.

February 4 at 10:30 a.m. - Work Session: Strategic Plan Goal 3 Report and Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget
February 4 at 6 p.m. - Public Hearing: FY 2026 Proposed Budget
February 6 at 6 p.m. - VHSL Fall Recognitions
February 6 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program, etc.
February 10 at 4:30 p.m. - Audit Committee Meeting
February 11 at 10 a.m. - Public Engagement Committee Meeting
February 11 at 3 p.m. - Governance Committee Meeting
February 13 at 7 p.m. - Comprehensive Planning Development Committee Meeting
February 18 at 2 p.m. - Governance Committee Meeting
February 18 at 5 p.m. - Work Session: FY 2026 Proposed Budget

Please note that times and topics are subject to change.

For Spanish speakers, to watch recorded School Board meetings, or live during regular meetings, visit the FCPS en Espanol YouTube channel or scan the QR code below.

Visit the Community Participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.

Are you interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on School Board votes the morning after the School Board meeting.

Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español

Para ver las reuniones de Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las Reuniones Ordinarias en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español .

School Board Work 2025-2026 Basal Resources Adoption: K-12 Mathematics Committee Appointee Needed

Are you interested in participating in the review of potential K-12 Mathematics resources?

FCPS is engaging the basal resource (e.g., textbooks, online materials) adoption process for K-12 Mathematics, and I am seeking a community member to participate on this committee. The process, governed by Regulation 3004.5, includes a 30-day public review period and a deep review by an Instructional Resource Review Committee (IRRC), made up of representatives from a variety of stakeholder groups - teachers, administrators, and community members. The process may lead to identified Mathematics resources (e.g., textbooks, digital materials) for some or all grade levels and courses in school year 2025-2026.

The review process is constructed to ensure

Resources align with Virginia Standards of Learning and FCPS Learning Model;
Resources meet the educational needs of a variety of learners;
Resources reflect culturally responsive curriculum and pedagogy;
Students gain equitable access to high-quality, dynamic resources; and
Input from multiple stakeholder groups is collected and valued.

Participation on the committee requires the following:

Appointed community representatives must be able to meet the following participation criteria for a total commitment of 25 hours. Dates will be confirmed in February.

Attend two in-person meetings (March 3, 2025, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. and March 24, 2025, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.) at Gatehouse Administrative Center, three subcommittee meetings via Zoom (dates TBD), and two vendor demos via Zoom (dates TBD) during March of 2025. Subcommittee meetings will be scheduled by the members at a time convenient for all.
Conduct approximately five hours of independent review of the materials during March of 2025.
Keep information on vendors, materials reviewed, and recommendations confidential.
Respond to email communication with subcommittee members.
Hold no conflict of interest with instructional vendors under consideration.

If you are interested in representing our district on the Mathematics Instructional Resource Review Committee, please contact apply no later than February 5, 2025.

Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program

The School Board discussed the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at the January 14 work session. View the presentation slides. The board will vote on whether or not to approve the proposed CIP at their Thursday, February 6, meeting. Find more information online and visit the CIP webpage.

Watch the work session.

School Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment Program

The School Board also discussed the annual School Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment Program at the January 14 work session. View the presentation slides.

Watch the work session.

Ratifying the Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreements Between FCPS and FEU

The School Board voted to ratify the tentative collective bargaining agreements between FCPS and the FEU for the licensed instructional and operational bargaining units with an effective date of July 1, 2025. These agreements were reached through a collaborative process, reflecting a shared commitment to support high-quality educational environments for all students. The key terms of the CBAs are:

7% Market Scale Adjustment (MSA) to salary scales in FY 26
3% MSA and step increase in FY 27 and FY 28.
Additional step at top of all salary scales added in FY 27 and FY 28
30-minute minimum block for teacher planning time
Continuation of extended-day contract for special education teachers
Three days of bereavement leave separate from sick leave
Creation of Health Care Advisory Committee to consider affordable healthcare plans

View more information on Boarddocs.

Watch the full meeting.

Fiscal Year 2025 Midyear Budget Review

At the December 19 regular meeting, the School Board voted to approve revenue and expenditure changes reflected in the fiscal year 2025 Midyear Budget Review. Chief among the Board’s new investments was a $3.35 million infusion for school safety and security initiatives. Additional resources were also approved for e-sports stipends and licensure pathways (iTeach).

View more information on Boarddocs. Watch the full meeting.

Secondary Grading Policy

Also at the December 19 meeting, the Board voted to approve updated Policy 2418: Secondary Grades, Assessment and Grading, and Reporting on Progress of Learning (formerly called Reporting Student Progress to Parents and Guardians). The updated policy will bring greater consistency and academic rigor to grading practices across the school division. This policy, developed with input from educators, students, and families, standardizes grading expectations while ensuring they align with FCPS’s commitment to equity and high academic standards. Key changes include clearer grading scales, uniform practices for more limited reassessment opportunities, and more consistent approaches to homework. These updates will support students in reaching their full potential by promoting fairness and accountability in grading.

View more information and follow-on motions on Boarddocs. Watch the full meeting.

Proclamations

I was pleased to support the following proclamations at the Board’s December 19 and January 23 regular meetings.

Superintendent Updates 🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program is open. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first-grade immersion program for the 2025-26 school year.

Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

Interested parents/caregivers may want to attend an informational meeting at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program registration page for a list of meetings by language offered.

Get more details on the DLI Program webpage and DLI Program Registration webpage.

📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

If you did not have a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting as part of the first phase of our comprehensive boundary review process, please join one of our virtual meetings:

Click on a date to register.

To ensure a meaningful experience for participants, each virtual meeting will be limited to 400 participants, and each participant will receive their own unique Zoom link. Language interpretation will be available.

Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn about the boundary review process. Sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee Meeting: Key Takeaways

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee met this week at the Gatehouse Administration Center. Key takeaways from the meeting include:

Welcome: The group reviewed the previous meeting’s norm form data. Attendees included 41 pyramid representatives and 10 organization representatives.

Follow-Up from Previous Advisory Committee Meetings: Follow-up information was provided to the group, including full data from the 12/06/24 meeting, Roles and Responsibilities, and Communications guidance.

Policy 8130 and Review Process: Information was presented regarding Policy 8130 including the timeline of revisions, an overview of the content, and Board updates to the policy from the work done in 2024.

Community Feedback to Next Steps: Guiding the Boundary Review Process: Thru Consulting shared summaries of each of the four priority areas and the “Other” category, as well as shared the actual scanned PDFs of graphic organizers from six community sessions conducted in 2024. The committee was asked to individually review the summaries and was then divided into groups to review specific priority areas. In groups, we began to review the summaries and preliminarily reviewed them for accuracy against the scanned PDFs from the community sessions. The committee agreed that there was limited time to review the volume of data that will be reviewed in subsequent sessions. We preliminarily drafted statements of other data that we need to collect and review, as well as additional analysis on the accuracy of the summaries provided. The committee asked for additional data that has not been provided to date.

Closing

Note: The Comprehensive Boundary Review process will require the committee to review a variety of data sets. In this third meeting, members participated in an exercise that involved a preliminary review of feedback data from the six regional in-person meetings. Once the six virtual community meetings are completed, the consultant will provide the committee with data from all 12 meetings for review. In addition, the committee will continue to inform the process, including sharing what relevant data should be studied prior to any scenarios being developed.

Please visit FCPS’ website to access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received. Learn about the comprehensive boundary review process.

Springfield District Scene

Bryant High School offers a Construction Technologies class where students build items to sell to staff to fund the purchase of more materials. Students learn valuable skills and take great pride in their craftsmanship. The class not only teaches students to build but also how to become entrepreneurs!

Congratulations to Centreville HighSchool’s Twisha Sinha for winning the Centreville American Legion Post 1995 Oratorical Contest! The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students.

Centreville teachers Jake Uden and Melissa Rife led their annual field trip to Baltimore with the German program last month. A well-known part of the December German culture is Christmas markets with rows of vendors and delicious food. The closest thing to the real thing is a large one organized in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. The teachers took 100 students over two days to tour the markets, experience their fun, and learn about the German holiday traditions.

Students in Chantilly Academy’s Exploring Health Science class had the opportunity to use state-of-the-art medical equipment at Inova's Advanced Surgical Technology and Education Center (ASTEC). The ASTEC is the most technologically advanced surgery simulation facility in the region and is used by surgeons, surgical residents, and surgical teams for training and education. While there, students put their medical skills to practice using laparoscopes, endoscopes, robotic surgical systems, and interactive mannequins.

Following their visit to the ASTEC, students heard a presentation by Inova's Respiratory Therapy team and learned how they provide respiratory services to a range of patients from infants in the NICU to elderly patients. During this presentation, students had the opportunity to practice intubation, use manual breathing pumps, and see how lungs inflate and deflate.

Shout out to Fairfax High School’s Naomi Bautista for receiving a Superior Thespy Award in Solo Acting at the Virginia Thespian Festival!

Congratulations to Lake Braddock Secondary School’s Leah Rajnik for winning a Playwriting and Dramaturgy scholarship at the Virginia Thespian Festival! The winning continued with the following students receiving a Superior Thespy Award.

Cora Ahlstrom - Solo Acting

Madison Eismeier - Sound Design

Lily Maher - Solo Acting

Bella Molino - Makeup Design

Rebecca Weingast - Lighting Design

The Region 4 Leadership Team and I are pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Jamie Luerssen, current principal of Colin L. Powell Elementary School, as the next principal of Oak View Elementary School. Ms. Luerssen is an experienced principal with a 25-year career in education. She is dedicated to fostering strong family partnerships, implementing inclusive, rigorous, and engaging learning experiences for all students, and supporting teachers as the lead learners in their classrooms. Her efforts consistently resulted in gains in student achievement that exceeded expectations.

Luerssen started her career in education as an elementary school teacher in North Carolina before joining FCPS in 2001. In FCPS she has proudly served as a teacher at Glen Forest Elementary School and Bren Mar Park Elementary School. She served in a variety of leadership roles including assistant principal at Glasgow Middle School, Saratoga Elementary School, and Laurel Ridge Elementary School, and is also proud of her service as the Manager of Professional Development in the former Department of Professional Learning and Accountability in FCPS. Luerssen has also served as an adjunct professor at George Mason University teaching coursework for provisionally licensed teachers seeking their permanent teaching license.

As principal at Colin Powell Elementary, Luerssen leads a school with a diverse population, including a full-time local-level advanced academic program, Korean Immersion Program, special education programming to include 3 enhanced autism classrooms and 4 preschool autism classrooms, and a growing population of multilingual learners. Her responsibilities encompass instructional leadership, school climate, communication, community relations, culturally responsive and equitable leadership, human resources, student achievement, and a multi-tiered system of support. Luerssen successfully led the school to achieve accreditation pass rates exceeding 94% in language arts and math for the past three years. She also prioritizes student achievement for multilingual learners and students with disabilities, ensuring their success rates surpass state benchmarks.

Luerssen has been proud to serve as a leader within the Centreville pyramid and was selected to attend the Courageous Principals training program at Deloitte University this past September. Luerssen has been proud to support the expansion of the Principal Induction Program by serving as a mentor and coach to principals in years three through five. Luerssen was nominated for FCPS Outstanding New Principal and FCPS Outstanding Principal several years running. Luerssen holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech University and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Luerssen will continue to serve in the role of principal at Colin Powell Elementary School until a successor is named before she transitions to Oak View Elementary. Please join us in welcoming Ms. Jamie Luerssen as the new principal of Oak View Elementary School!

Congratulations to Robinson Secondary School Girls Cross Country Coach Nick Reed for being named Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year for the Commonwealth of Virginia by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association!

I’m so proud of South County High School’s DECA students working to make their school a welcoming and wonderful home for all students! They created interactive and inspiring posters that invite their fellow Stallions to grab a "post-it pick-me-up," offering positivity and encouragement for any challenge they face.

South County students continue to shine with the introduction of their new club Mind Matters, where students are taking the lead in raising mental health awareness and providing valuable resources to support one another. These student leaders are carving new paths and creating a safe space for their peers, ensuring that everyone has the tools and support they need to thrive.

Please join Chief of Schools Dr. Geovanny Ponce and me in welcoming West Springfield High School principal Michael Mukai as the new principal of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST)!

As you know, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) launched a nationwide search for a new principal earlier this fall following Dr. Ann Bonitatibus' promotion to a central office position.

After several weeks of extensive and diligent consideration of numerous highly qualified candidates, we are delighted to share that we have found an exceptional leader - and TJHSST alum - close to home. Michael Mukai has accepted the position and will begin later this month. Mukai has been the principal of West Springfield High School (WSHS) since 2014 and has held a variety of FCPS school-based positions since 1995 when he began his career as a math and science teacher. He has also coached wrestling and volleyball.

In a full circle moment, Mukai was in the very first class of TJHSST when it converted to a magnet STEM school in 1985. He majored in Chemistry at Virginia Tech and he has a Master of Curriculum and Instruction, Math Education also from Virginia Tech. He has also completed post-master's graduate work in the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge through the Department of Science Technology and Society of Virginia Tech.

During the recruitment process, Mukai impressed all with his passion for TJHSST, his innovative vision for the future, and his track record of elevating academic excellence.

His many accomplishments at WSHS include:

Significant gains in advanced academic access and success which has resulted in gold recognition by the College Board for the AP School Honor Roll.
Increasing the number of students recognized through the National Merit Scholarship program.
Cappies recognitions for theater arts, honor band recognitions, Virginia Music Educators Association recognitions, district, region, and state championships in Virginia High School League athletics and activities.

Congratulations Principal Mukai!

January 14, 2025 Public Hearing on the FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program

School Board Springfield District1 month 1 week ago

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The Fairfax County School Board welcomes public comment on the proposed FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program at a Public Hearing. This public hearing is scheduled to take place at the Luther Jackson Middle School Auditorium at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

The Speaker's List opened at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 26, 2024 and is now open through 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025. The Fairfax County School Board Office will notify speakers (via email) the morning of January 14, 2025.

Register to Speak at the CIP Public Hearing (in-person or live via Zoom)
Proposed FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program
Information on Speaking at School Board Meetings
Watch School Board meetings and public hearings.

Any questions, written statements, and copies of testimony may be submitted to [email protected].

Upcoming Regular School Board Meeting

The next regular board meeting will be held Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Luther Jackson Middle School, at 7 p.m.

The Fairfax County School Board

Virtual Boundary Review Community Meetings, FY26 Capital Improvement Plan, and FCPS Instructional Job Fair

School Board Springfield District1 month 1 week ago

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Hello, Springfield District,

I hope you are feeling rested and rejuvenated after an extended winter break!

The Superintendent is continuing her Boundary Review Community Meetings this month with the first virtual meeting occurring this Friday, January 10. Additionally, the Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee has begun meeting. Please read below for details on both topics.

Also, please note the upcoming opportunity to comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Improvement Plan and an FCPS Instructional Job Fair.

I’ll be in touch soon!

Sandy Anderson

Virtual Community Boundary Review Meeting Dates Set

Dates have been confirmed for upcoming virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings. All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared.

If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating virtually. Click a date below to register:

Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m.

Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.

Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.

Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.

To ensure a meaningful experience for participants, each virtual Community Boundary Review Meeting will be capped at 400 participants, and each participant will receive their own unique Zoom link. All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the recently held in-person meetings, including the information shared and breakout time. Language interpretation will be available. Please visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

Summary of In-Person Community Boundary Review Meetings

We have completed six in-person Community Boundary Review Meetings for all FCPS regions as part of the first phase of the review process. These sessions provided an opportunity for parents and caregivers, staff, students, and community members to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the comprehensive boundary review. FCPS partner, Thru Consulting, facilitated each session.

Key Themes Presented

Thru discussed why a boundary review is essential to ensure equitable access to quality education for all FCPS students. Key challenges include:

Overcrowding and lack of space for programs like pre-K.
Long student travel times and program locations that are less than ideal.
Split feeder schools and attendance islands.
High renovation costs and extended timelines.

This review, which is required every five years by the recently approved Boundary Policy 8130, will help address these issues and align with FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.

What We Heard from You

During each Community Boundary Review Meeting, the community emphasized several key priorities. View those priorities on our website.

Superintendent's Boundary Review Advisory Committee

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee has begun meeting. The committee includes two parents/caregivers or community members from each of FCPS’ 24 high school pyramids, school-based and division administrators, teachers, operational staff, and other community representatives. Each committee member’s unique perspective and insight are invaluable as FCPS works together to follow a process that is transparent, includes significant community participation and feedback, and always keeps students at the center of every decision. Please visit FCPS’ website to access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials and read about key takeaways from the committee meetings.

Dr. Reid Reflects on the Comprehensive Boundary Review Process

In her December 9 Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid wrote about the meetings mentioned above. She stressed that no boundary changes have been proposed yet; we are only in the first phase of the review process.

Public Hearing on Proposed FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program

The Fairfax County School Board will hear comment on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 proposed Capital Improvement Program at a Public Hearing scheduled for January 14, 2025. The speaker list opened at 6 a.m. on Thursday, December 26, 2024.

Register to Speak in person or via Zoom.
Information on Speaking at School Board Meetings

Instructional Job Fair on January 11

Fairfax County Public Schools wants you to join our team! We seek educator talent with strong student engagement skills and a passion for positively influencing our school communities.

Join us for our upcoming job fair.

Job Fair Details

Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon (Weather Dependent)

Glasgow Middle School
There will be networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools. Employment offers for current 2024-25 school year vacancies may be extended during the fair.
Registration is required to attend.

Find more information on the FCPS website.

Quick Links

2024-2025 | 2025-2026 | 2026-27 (not approved)

Contact: Sandy Anderson | 571-423-1080

Executive Administrative Assistant: Stephanie Sheridan | 571-423-1065

December Newsletter: Middle School Start Times, Student Leadership Development Program, and Winter Break Wishes

School Board Springfield District2 months ago

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Hello, Springfield District,

This month I was lucky enough to visit several schools. I got to visit the Burke School during their annual Thanksgiving Luncheon, to talk with students at Robinson Secondary School with Delegate Dan Helmer, and visit Rocky Run Middle School with the Virginia School Librarian of the Year, Rachel Grover, and Principal Peter Kownacki, along with my colleague, Kyle McDaniel. I also visited with some principals, including Centreville High School’s new principal, Dr. Erik Healey, and Union Mill’s principal, Scott Hawk.

The Board has also been hard at work. In a work session, we heard about proposals for middle school start times. We were able to welcome our new nominees from the School Board Student Leadership Development Program. (You can read more about the awesome program and my nominee below.) And, I was able to attend and hear community feedback at Boundary Review Community Meetings for Regions 4 & 5. If you would like to know more about each step of the Boundary Review Process, please sign up to receive FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter.

I wish you all a wonderful winter break! I hope you get time to spend with your family and friends. I'll be in touch soon!

Sandy Anderson

Clockwise starting at top left: School Board Member-at-Large Kyle McDaniel and I with Rocky Run Middle School librarian Rachel Grover, meeting with my School Board Student Leadership Development Program Representative Chiara Cryan, Burke School Principal Dr. Thomas Sweet and me, Braddock District School Board Member Rachna Sizemore Heizer and I at the Region 4 Community Boundary Review Meeting, and Delegate Dan Helmer, Associate Principal Megan Sherrill, Robinson Secondary School Principal Tracey Phillips, and I meeting with the Student Advisory Council.

This newsletter includes information on the following issues:

Upcoming School Board Meetings
School Board Work
Superintendent Updates
Springfield District Scene
Student Opportunities
Community News
Family and Student Resources
In Case you Missed It
Quick Links

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Meeting information and materials will be posted to BoardDocs.

December 19 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Fiscal Year 2025 Midyear Budget Review, Strategic Plan Goal 2 Report, Policy 2418 (Secondary Grades Assessment and Grading, and Reporting on Progress of Learning), etc.
January 7 at 10 a.m. - Public Engagement Committee Meeting
January 7 at 3 p.m. - Governance Committee Meeting
January 9 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Collective Bargaining Agreement Approval, etc.
January 13 at 4:30 p.m.- Audit Committee Meeting
January 14 at 10:30 a.m. - Work Session: Pedestrian Traffic and Safety and Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
January 14 at 6 p.m. - Public Hearing: CIP
January 16 at 7 p.m. - Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee Meeting

Please note that times and topics are subject to change.

For Spanish speakers, to watch recorded School Board meetings, or live during regular meetings, visit the FCPS en Espanol YouTube channel or scan the QR code below.

Visit the Community Participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.

Are you interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on School Board votes the morning after the School Board meeting.

Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español

Para ver las reuniones de Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las Reuniones Ordinarias en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español .

School Board Work High School Athletics External Review and Internal Processes

At the December 5 regular meeting, the School Board voted to engage an external law firm that has not performed any work for FCPS or the Superintendent in the last 10 years to conduct a comprehensive and independent examination (to include but not be limited to student-athlete transfers and eligibility practices) for all high school athletics across the district, starting with an examination of Hayfield Secondary School, and to report its findings and make recommendations to the School Board and Superintendent. View follow-on motions on Boarddocs.

Watch the full meeting.

Fiscal Year 2025 Midyear Budget Review

Also at the December 5 regular meeting, Dr. Reid presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Midyear Budget Review. With increased available funds, adjustments will be made to focus on additional funding for safety and security measures, Esports stipends, and the licensure pathway iTeach.

Watch the full meeting.

School Board Student Leadership Development Program

As noted above, I’m pleased that the School Board recently revived the Student Leadership Development Program. Please join me in congratulating my student representative, West Springfield High School freshman Chiara Cryan (fourth from left below)! Chiara is just one of 12 students selected to participate in this year’s program.

Students will work closely with the School Board and its staff, learning how the school division is governed, observing the operation of various board committees and regular meetings, developing and debating their own policy proposals, and even learning how to seek election to the Student Representative seat on the School Board.

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At the Tuesday, December 3 School Board work session, Prismatic Services, Inc. staff presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

School Board’s Student Representative Receives VSBA Scholarship

At the Virginia School Boards Association's (VSBA) annual convention, in Williamsburg, my Board colleagues and I were thrilled to publicly congratulate our Student Representative, Megan Sawant, for receiving a $1,000 scholarship from VSBA!

Proclamations

I was pleased to support the following proclamations at the Board’s December 5 regular meeting.

Superintendent Updates Coming Soon: Virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings

In addition to in-person community meetings that are being held during this first phase of the comprehensive boundary review, FCPS is also planning to host virtual community meetings. The virtual events will follow the same format as the in-person meetings.

Dates are still being confirmed for January 2025.

Be sure to sign up to receive FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter.

Remaining In-Person Community Meetings for Phase 1

Our first set of Community Boundary Review Meetings includes one meeting in each of our six regions. Parents/caregivers, employees, students, and community members are welcome! Join us to share your thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process. Click below to register for the final Fall 2024 Community Boundary Review Meeting.:

Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., Madison High School Cafeteria (Region 1)

Meetings are in person and follow the same format. Interpretation services will be available if requested on the registration form. Registration is not required, but it will help us with planning.

Share Your Thoughts

Please submit your questions or feedback on our website.

🎓 Save the Date for 2025 Graduation!

The dates, times, and locations for FCPS graduation ceremonies in 2025 have been published.

🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January

Is your child interested in architecture and construction, information technology, or health science? FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students starting in January. Open houses are a great opportunity to visit classrooms and labs and speak with instructors and academy counselors.

An academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses designed to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Academy elective courses provide students with a variety of career experiences, including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses. Students can explore more than a dozen career fields through FCPS academies!

Watch this video to learn more about academy programs. View the calendar of Academy Open Houses. For questions, email Bonnie Wannett at [email protected].

✨ Availability of, accessibility to, and student enrollment in coursework in the arts, STEAM, career and technical education, trades, technology, and world languages is one measure of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity.

🚨 New Chief of Safety and Security

Brian Lambert, a native of Richmond, VA, comes to Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) as a 25-year veteran of the United States Secret Service. He most recently served as the Assistant Director of the Office of Investigations. In that role, he led the Secret Service’s largest organizational unit, with 2,150 Special Agents and 850 analytical, administrative, professional, and technical employees throughout 162 domestic and international offices.

He has significant experience and leadership in financial and cybercrime investigations, threat investigations and mitigation, physical and technical security, human resources, and international operations. In addition, he was assigned to the Presidential Protective Division in 2006 and worked on the protective details for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

Before joining the Secret Service, Lambert served as a police officer with the Chesterfield County (VA) Police Department. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA.

🧪 Save the Date: Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair

Please save the date for the 70th annual Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair, which will be held the weekend of Friday, March 21, to Sunday, March 23, 2025.

Springfield District Scene

Bryant High School students and staff were encouraged to wear their Crocs to school the day before Thanksgiving Break for a fun-filled opportunity to pick out new Jibbitz charms! What a great way to welcome in the holiday season!

While students at Chantilly Academy are engaged in lessons planned by their amazing instructors, one particular classroom is filled with students who are doing the lesson planning. Teachers for Tomorrow is a two-year program offered to juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in education. As part of their curriculum, these students participate in classroom observations and complete their own student teaching experience.

Students in the program work with instructor, Mrs. Reinfried, to identify areas of education they are most interested in and passionate about, and select their observations and student teaching experiences accordingly. Teachers for Tomorrow students complete their internships in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms and have the opportunity to spend time in general education, special education, and advanced academics classrooms depending on their interests.

Teachers for Tomorrow is one of FCPS' Grow Your Own programs. FCPS is committed to growing our own teacher pipeline and, as part of that commitment, students who successfully complete Teachers for Tomorrow and go on to earn a degree from an accredited collegiate teacher preparation program are offered a guaranteed interview for a teaching position with FCPS!

Chantilly Academy is home to a fantastic two-year Pharmacy Technician program. In addition to learning the history of pharmacy and the roles of a Pharmacy Technician, students in this course learn about patient and medication safety, pharmaceutical calculations, prescription processing, suspension and solution preparation, and compounding to name just a few topics. In year two of the Pharmacy Tech program, students complete an impressive 130 experiential hours in a local pharmacy thanks to our partnerships with Giant Food and Inova. Upon completion of their second year, students sit for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam and leave Chantilly Academy as a Board Certified Pharmacy Technician. Last year, our students had a 100% pass rate on their board exam!

Pharmacy Tech instructor, Mr. Rick Cutting, finds innovative ways to engage students in learning in the classroom. Recently, level one students were introduced to the concept of compounding by making slime! Students quickly learned how important it is to accurately weigh and measure ingredients when making a compounded prescription. It was a fun - and sometimes sticky! - learning adventure.

Kudos to the Chantilly High School Varsity Girls Volleyball Team for winning the 6D Region title!

The winning continues with Chantilly’s Varsity Dance Team winning Best Choreography at the Universal Dance Association (UDC) DC Chance Challenge! Great job!

Additionally, Tilly Alpha Wolves, Chantilly’s League of Legends team, completed the VHSL Fall Esports season as state champions! Way to go!

FCPS CARES allows parents/caregivers, staff, and community members to recognize employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. Among the CARES of the Month recipients for October are French teachers Elaine Gonzalez (pictured to the right of Principal Amy Goodloe) from Chantilly High School and Jocelyne Smith from Westfield High School.

A Chantilly parent nominated them for working to bring 22 exchange students from France to the schools.

“We loved hosting the students, learning from them, and showing them our lives,” the parent said. “For my child and family to experience this was phenomenal. The teachers went above and beyond to make this an excellent experience.”

Every Wednesday after school, a special class takes place at Fairfax High School. The students are parents, eager to learn a new language and skills to help them support their children’s education. Principal Georgina Aye is one of the dedicated teachers.

These classes are the heart of Fairfax High School’s Family Engagement Center, a vibrant space dedicated to empowering families and fostering a strong sense of community. Fairfax’s Family Engagement Center is building a bridge between families and the school, creating a shared space for learning, support, and community. Read more about the English literacy parent program.

✨ Building trusting partnerships between home and school is Pillar B of the FCPS Strategic Plan.

Congratulations to the Robinson Secondary School Symphonic Band for being invited to perform at The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, December 18-21! The International Conference is a highly esteemed event that draws an average of 18,000 attendees from all 50 states and 40 foreign countries in the music field. The Robinson Symphonic Band, the only band from Virginia participating in the conference, successfully navigated a rigorous audition process to secure a spot to perform at this prestigious gathering.

During the conference, students will have the opportunity to interact with renowned composers, musicians, and clinicians through three demonstration sessions tailored specifically for music educators. These sessions aim to enhance their skills and expertise in their craft.

Congratulations to Thomas Jefferson’s Chess Team! They secured first place in the nation in Blitz Chess at the Grade Level Nationals!

TJ’s upper-level Spanish students took their learning on the road! Students in Spanish 4 and AP Spanish classes, along with members of the Spanish Honor Society eighth-period club visited the Mexican Cultural Institute and the exhibit of the Latin Gallery of the Molina Family at the National Museum of the American Latino.

At the Mexican Cultural Institute, the students learned about the history of the building and the art that is housed on its walls and exhibits. They also learned about the “Día de los Muertos” holiday and could see the altar on exhibit.

Students were guided in Spanish and listened to native speakers at regular speed and with their accents. They learned much about Mexican culture and the Day of the Dead celebration.

At the museum, students had a scavenger hunt to explore the exhibit. There was a great deal of information about the history of the different Latin American countries that have impacted U.S. history. The students had the opportunity to listen to a Puerto Rican guide who explained the exhibit in more detail.

Shout out to Woodson High School’s Rocket League team for winning the VHSL Fall Esports championship!

💰 National PTA and PTSA Grant Award Recipients

Congratulations to the following PTAs and PTSAs for being awarded National PTA grants!

PTA Connected: Ready, Tech, Go! Program ($1500 each): Laurel Ridge Elementary School and Kings Park/Kings Glen Elementary Schools
PTA Connected: Create With Kindness Program ($3000): Lake Braddock Secondary School
Healthy Lifestyles Initiative ($1250): Irving Middle School

🎭 Upcoming School Performances

Don’t miss the many upcoming school performances featuring our outstanding Springfield District students! Among them are

Oakton High School

How to Get Away with Murder Mystery

January 16

Buy tickets

Student Opportunities

🦈 2024 Fairfax Area Student Shark Tank Challenge Now Open

Entries for Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services Fairfax Area High School Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge are now being accepted. Initial proposals are due Friday, December 20, 2024. The challenge invites students to develop an innovative device or app that will positively impact the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, or caregivers.

Visit the Shark Tank Tech Challenge website for more details, including the detailed application packet. Additional assistance is available by emailing [email protected].

🏛️ High School Youth Leadership Program

High school juniors and seniors residing in Virginia Senate District 36 (Check your residency here.) are invited by Senator Stella Pekarsky to apply to her 1st Annual Youth Leadership Program. The Program will allow students to travel to Richmond during the General Assembly Session in January 2025. Participants will engage with political leadership from across the Commonwealth and gain practical knowledge about Virginia's legislative process.

Activities may include

Observing committee hearings and floor debate on bills
Historic tours of the Virginia State Capitol and the Governor's Mansion
Panel discussion with lobbyists, advocates, and key players in advancing legislative initiatives
Discuss legislation and initiatives that are important to them with legislative staff and members

Students will head to Richmond on Sunday, January 19, 2025, and return on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. This opportunity comes at no cost. All transportation, lodging, and meals will be provided. A letter excusing the school absence on Tuesday, January 21 will be shared with each of the participants.

The deadline to apply is 6 p.m. on December 27, 2024. Because of the limited number of spots, not every student who applies will be accepted. Students will be notified of their application status.

For more information contact Chief of Staff Kat Thames at [email protected].

📷 2025 First Hike Photo Contest

The Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation are gearing up for another fantastic First Hike Photo Contest set for New Year’s Day 2025. The contest is open to photographers of any age and ability. It’s easy to participate.

Take a Hike: Stroll through any of the Park Authority’s 420 parks or along more than 334 miles of Park Authority trails on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
Capture the Moment: Snap a fantastic photo during your walk.
Submit Your Best Shot: Upload your photo online by noon on Thursday, January 2, 2025, for a chance to win Park Authority prizes.

Learn more about the First Hike Photo Contest.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL branch or their Winter Reading Adventure website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.

Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

2025 FCPS Gap Year Fair

Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event. For more information, visit: USA Gap Year Fairs.

**In the event of inclement weather on Tuesday, January 28, 2025: The Gap Year Fair will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at the same time and location.

Community News Seeking Professionals for the 2025 Instruction 2 Industry: Future Ready Event for High School Students

In February 2025 during Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, school divisions across the region are teaming up with Virginia Ed Strategies to host the annual Instruction 2 Industry Future Ready Conference. This Northern Virginia event will offer participating high school students the chance to connect with over 100 local professionals from high-demand career fields.

This event will be held at the Inova Conference Center in Fairfax, Virginia on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, with an inclement weather date scheduled for the following week on Monday, February 25, 2025.

We are actively seeking employers and industry experts from all career clusters who would be interested in participating in the following ways:

Career Fair Experience: Engage students at your exhibitor table, sharing insights about skills, education, and experiences in your field.
Networking Nooks: Participate in themed breakout rooms, providing a relaxed space to inspire and guide students toward career success.

If you are interested in participating in this event, complete the interest form.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to engage with high school students and better prepare tomorrow's workforce!

Family and Student Resources 2025-26 FAFSA Form Now Available

The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available. Any college-bound high school senior — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to work with their children to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Check each college’s financial aid office webpage for deadlines and financial aid forms. Then, create an account (if you have not already done so) and fill out the FAFSA.

The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application will be available in late January for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. To help determine which aid option is right for you, visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website.

Get Help Filling Out FAFSA From College Access Fairfax

Over the next few months, College Access Fairfax will offer several programs to help students complete the FAFSA/VASA, and find and apply for scholarships. Get information on these programs and how to access them on the College Access Fairfax website.

In addition, College Access Fairfax staff are available for virtual one-on-one help sessions to complete the FAFSA/VASA. To request an appointment, families should email [email protected].

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance.

Learn how to help these families and discover the many resources available to support those experiencing food insecurity on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

📖 Literacy Resources for Families

Benchmark Advance literacy resources are available to parents for each unit their child studies to assist in reading and writing practice at home. Be sure to view Literacy Resources for Families and the following additional resources.

💻 Fairfax County Public Library Loans More Than Just Books

Need to borrow a Chromebook or internet hotspot? Borrow them — or other helpful items — for free from a Fairfax County Public Library. Dozens of items are available to check out from the Library of Things at no cost with your library card. Items such as artwork, binoculars, games, Conserve Energy Kits, early literacy Launchpad tablets, nature backpacks, and thermal cameras are available.

The library’s Family History Kits include everything you need to capture tales from the past and present such as a voice recorder, instructions, and interview prompts in English, Spanish, and Korean.

Visit your local Fairfax County Public Library branch or the Library of Things webpage for more information.

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High Schoolers

Teletherapy services are available for all FCPS high school students at no cost. Sessions can be scheduled Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Hazel Health’s highly qualified therapists specialize in working with teens. Learn more on FCPS’ teletherapy webpage.

George Mason’s Center for Community Health

George Mason University’s new Center for Community Mental Health (9900 Main Street, Fairfax) provides evidence-based, accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive therapy and testing services to those in need, regardless of income. The Center sees children as young as age 5, and works with community members of various ages, including addressing the mental health needs of veterans.

The center’s Emotional Helpline provides free, anonymous, confidential support in both English (703-215-1898) and Spanish (703-914-3878). The line is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Learn more on the Center's website.

Tips for Parents of Children with Invisible Disability

Do you have a child with an invisible disability? Here are some tips to help you navigate and cope with the unexpected changes and sensory overload that can arise during travel over the holidays. Learn tips from the Pacer Center’s Learning Center.

Virginia Developmental Disabilities Waitlist Information

The Individual Family Support Program (IFSP) runs through the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. IFSP provides funding for those on the developmental disabilities (DD) waitlist and hosts the website My Life, My Community. My Life, My Community is an online tool that helps people with DD and their families answer basic questions about services and support.

The Center for Family Involvement (CFI), part of the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University, has a network of staff and volunteer family navigators who have experience and provide one-to-one emotional, informational, and systems navigational support for individuals with disabilities and their family members. For more information and assistance on a wide variety of resources call the helpline at 877-567-1122 or email [email protected].

Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Programs

Virginia has two Medicaid-related premium assistance programs that help pay for employer-sponsored health insurance: HIPP and HIPP for Kids. You or a member of your family must first be enrolled in a Medicaid program to be eligible to apply for the HIPP programs. These are cost-saving programs administered by Virginia Medicaid.

HIPP (19 and over)

For the HIPP program, eligibility criteria include, but are not limited to the following:

A family member must be enrolled in full coverage Medicaid. The health plan must meet cost-effectiveness evaluation.
Must be enrolled in a health plan that meets the definition of a “qualified employer-sponsored plan” that qualifies as creditable coverage under section 2701(c) (1) of the Public Health Service Act and must be offered to all people in a manner that would be considered nondiscriminatory eligibility.
Must not be a plan with deductibles that are equal to or exceed IRS High Deductible Health Plan limits.

HIPP for Kids (18 and younger)

For the HIPP for Kids program, eligibility criteria include, but are not limited to the following:

A family member must be enrolled in full coverage Medicaid and be less than 19 years of age.
The employer must pay at least 40% of the cost of the health insurance premium.
Must be enrolled in a health plan that meets the definition of a “qualified employer-sponsored plan” that qualifies as creditable coverage under section 2701(c) (1) of the Public Health Service Act and must be offered to all people in a manner that would be considered nondiscriminatory eligibility.
Must not be a plan with deductibles that are equal to or exceed IRS High Deductible Health Plan limits.

For Additional Information call 800-432-5924 or email [email protected].

Free Workshops from the Family Resource Center

December and January webinars and workshops include:

December 20, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in-person at the Family Resource Center - Youth Mental Health First Aid

January 10, 10-11:30 a.m. - Help! My Kids Won’t Go To School!

January 11, 9 a.m.-noon - Sibshops

January 13-17 - FCPS Math Week

January 17, 10-11:30 a.m. - A Series on Supporting Your Child’s Executive Function Skills

January 24, 10-11:20 a.m. - Depression in Teens

In Case you Missed It

December 4 FCPS This Week shared updates on the following topics and others.

Highlights in Advancing Literacy
Daily Attendance Importance
Make a Difference for FCPS Students and Families

December 11 FCPS This Week shared updates on the following topics and others.

Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
Comprehensive Boundary Review Meeting Updates
Calendar Reminders

December Special Education and 504 Newsletter (Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.)
December Business and Community Partnerships Newsletter

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, sign up today.

Quick Links

2024-2025 | 2025-2026 | 2026-27 (not approved)

Contact: Sandy Anderson | 571-423-1080

Executive Administrative Assistant: Stephanie Sheridan | 571-423-1065

November Newsletter: Grateful for Our Incredible Schools

School Board Springfield District2 months 3 weeks ago

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Hello, Springfield District,

The last month has included some pretty awesome moments. From being able to participate in the Carter G. Woodson High School Rededication Ceremony, conducting a roundtable with leaders from our school parent organizations, visiting Mountain View High School with some of my school board colleagues, visiting Waples Mill Elementary School with Sully District Representative Seema Dixit, attending the Fairview Elementary School 125th Anniversary Celebration and a Keene Mill Elementary PTA Meeting with Braddock District Representative Rachna Sizemore Heizer, participating in this month’s Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee meeting and touring Marshall Academy, seeing South County High School’s performance of The 39 Steps, attending the Fairfax County Special Education PTA’s (SEPTA) IEP Palooza, and attending West Springfield High School’s Performance of Puffs, it has been amazing! I am continually inspired and impressed by our outstanding students.

November is designated as Take Your Legislator to School Month by the Virginia School Board’s Association. I was proud to visit several schools with some of our state legislators. I visited a Centreville High School Leadership class with former Sully District School Board Member, Senator Stella Pekarsky, and Delegate Dan Helmer. We spoke with the kids and shared some of our own leadership experiences. I visited Saratoga Elementary with Delegate Kathy Tran, and we both toured the school and heard from some of their parents via their parent ambassadors. And, finally, I visited Silverbrook Elementary’s Veterans Day Program with Member-at-Large Kyle McDaniel and former Springfield District School Board Member, Delegate Laura Jane Cohen. All those kiddos did such an amazing job sharing their gratitude for our veterans. It’s such a special honor to get to show off our schools.

I also had an amazing time at the Virginia School Board’s Association Annual Conference last week where I had the opportunity to connect with school board colleagues from around the state. Hearing about how things are going in other divisions is essential to a shared path forward for the Commonwealth.

I hope everyone is doing well and gearing up for a wonderful holiday season. I will be in touch soon!

Sandy Anderson

This newsletter includes information on the following issues:

Upcoming School Board Meetings
School Board Work
Superintendent Updates
Springfield District Scene
Student Opportunities
Community News
Family and Student Resources
In Case you Missed It
Quick Links

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Meeting information and materials will be posted to BoardDocs.

November 26 at 3 p.m. - Joint Budget Meeting with Board of Supervisors
December 3 at 10:30 a.m. - Work Session: Middle School Start Times and Strategic Plan Goal 2 Report

December 5 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: To be determined

December 9 at 4:30 p.m. - Audit Committee Meeting

December 10 at 10 a.m. - Public Engagement Committee Meeting

December 17 at 5:30 p.m. - Work Session: Meeting with the City of Fairfax School Board
December 19 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Fiscal Year Midyear Budget Review, Strategic Plan Goal 2 Report, etc.

Please note that times and topics are subject to change.

For Spanish speakers, to watch recorded School Board meetings, or live during regular meetings, visit the FCPS en Espanol YouTube channel or scan the QR code below.

Visit the Community Participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.

Are you interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on School Board votes the morning after the School Board meeting.

Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español

Para ver las reuniones de Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las Reuniones Ordinarias en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español .

School Board Work Secondary Course Offerings

At the November 14 regular meeting, the School Board approved changes to the list of middle and high school course offerings for the 2025-2026 school year, as recommended by the Course Review Committee. View BoardDocs for more information.

Watch the full meeting.

Comprehensive Facilities Condition Assessment

Also at the November 14 regular meeting, the Board voted to authorize $3 million in funding from the School Board Flexibility Reserve to be combined with the $2 million previously allocated in FY 2023. This funding will be used to complete the initial phases of a comprehensive Facility Condition Assessment of all FCPS-owned school buildings, facilities (including athletic facilities), and infrastructure (including tracked and untracked). View the follow-on motion on BoardDocs.

Watch the full meeting.

Extension of Division Superintendent Contract

At the November 14 regular meeting, the School Board unanimously voted to renew the contract of Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for an additional four years, effective November 14, 2024. The new contract will run through June 2028. Visit BoardDocs for more information.

Watch the full meeting.

Amending Policies 1705, 1710, 4450, and 4510, and the Strategic Governance Manual

At the October 24 regular meeting, the School Board voted to amend policies 1705, 1710, 4450, 4510, and the Strategic Governance Manual. Visit BoardDocs for more information.

Watch the full meeting.

Election Results Certification and Exclusive Bargaining Agent Recognition

Also at the October 24 regular meeting, the Board voted to certify the results and recognize and certify the Fairfax County Federation of Principals, Supervisors, and Administrators (FCFPSA), as the exclusive bargaining agent for the Administrators and Supervisors bargaining unit. Visit Boarddocs for more information.

Watch the full meeting.

Proclamations

I was pleased to support the following proclamations at the Board’s October 24 and November 14 regular meetings.

Superintendent Updates 🏫 Inaugural State of Our Schools Event

Community leaders heard from Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and other Leadership Team members at the inaugural State of Our Schools. The event was sponsored by Educate Fairfax and featured student presentations and performances. Visit the State of Our Schools webpage to view video highlights.

📍 Superintendent's Boundary Review Advisory Committee

More than 1,600 parents/caregivers applied to participate in the Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee! Two parents/caregivers from each of FCPS’ 24 high school pyramids have been invited to join the committee.

Members were chosen randomly from those who confirmed their ability to participate in in-person meetings. Other advisory committee members include school-based administrators, teachers, operational staff, and representatives from community groups.

The Boundary Review Advisory Committee’s unique perspectives will be invaluable, as we work together to ensure this process is transparent, includes significant community participation and feedback, and always keeps students at the center of every decision.

👨🏽‍🏫 Join Our Team of Teachers!

FCPS is hosting an in-person job fair on Saturday, December 14, at Sandburg Middle School from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

There will be networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from FCPS schools. Employment offers for the current school year may be presented during the fair.

Registration is required. Register to attend the December 14 job fair no later than Thursday, December 12.

Contact Human Resources through their web portal or call 571-423-3000.

🤝 FCPS Expands Partnership with George Mason University’s Direct Admissions Program

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and George Mason University (George Mason) are expanding a partnership that will streamline the path to higher education for high school students through a Direct Admissions Program. This program will provide qualified FCPS students with automatic admission to George Mason, simplifying the college application process and creating new opportunities for academic and career success.

The partnership is designed to increase access to higher education, particularly for students who may face barriers in navigating the traditional college admissions process. In its first year, FCPS’ Class of 2024 at five high schools were invited by George Mason to participate: Annandale, Falls Church, Herndon, Justice, and Mount Vernon. More than 600 students received offers through this direct admissions opportunity.

The partnership is continuing this year with an additional four FCPS high schools being added for the Class of 2025: Edison, Fairfax, Lewis, and West Potomac. In order to be eligible for the GMU Direct Admissions Program, students must attend a partner school and have a 3.25 or higher cumulative grade point average as of the end of their junior year.

Region Boundary Review Community Meetings Announced

School Board Springfield District3 months 2 weeks ago

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Hello, Springfield District

As a reminder, Fairfax County Public Schools is beginning a comprehensive review of school boundaries for the first time in almost four decades. This long overdue project will assess boundaries across our district to better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs.

Community engagement is a critical part of this work as noted in FCPS Boundary Policy 8130 and the Code of Virginia. Our first set of boundary review meetings will begin in a few weeks, with a meeting scheduled in each of our six regions. Families, staff, and community members will be able to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

I encourage you to attend a meeting in your region. However, you may choose another date, if that works better for your schedule:

Monday, November 18, 6:30 - 8 p.m. Register
- Glasgow Middle School Cafeteria - (Region 2)
Monday, December 2, 6:30 - 8 p.m. Register
- Westfield High School Cafeteria - (Region 5)
Tuesday, December 3, 6:30 - 8 p.m. Register
- Lake Braddock Secondary School Cafeteria - (Region 4)
Monday, December 9, 6:30 - 8 p.m. Register
- Mount Vernon High School Cafeteria - (Region 3)
Thursday, December 12, 6:45 - 8:15 p.m. Register
- Annandale High School Cafeteria - (Region 6)
Wednesday, December 18, 6:30 - 8 p.m. Register
- Madison High School Cafeteria - (Region 1)

All meetings will be in person and follow the same format. Childcare and interpretation services will be available, as needed. Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.

As you may recall, the School Board approved updates to the Boundary Policy (Policy 8130) at its July 18 Regular Public Meeting, completing a years-long comprehensive review of the policy for the first time in nearly four decades. The updates provide a clear roadmap for any future boundary adjustments to help ensure better student achievement through enhanced instructional quality, budget optimization, and strengthened student well-being.

The revised policy did not propose specific boundary changes, nor were specific boundaries considered during the policy review. Instead, the updates create a framework for the division superintendent to follow when considering any potential future adjustments, which must prioritize robust community engagement throughout the process.

For now, please see and continue to check the Comprehensive School Boundary Review website for current information. Also, please be sure to check out information about the FCPS Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service.

I will be in touch soon!

Sandy Anderson

Our Voices, Our Future: Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service

Our Voices, Our Future: Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service is being offered to FCPS secondary students as an opportunity to explore multilingualism as a strength in developing leadership and advocacy skills. Students will plan for future success through their strengths and interests. Attendees will be able to network and learn with other FCPS students and staff. This event will also feature special guest Dr. José Luis Zelaya from the Multilingual Learners’ Summit. “Language is an opportunity,” says Dr. Zelaya, “believe in the power of education!” Secondary students should register and bring their FCPS laptops to the workshop.

The event will occur on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Edison High School and will also feature a table fair promoting college and career readiness.

Language interpretation services will be available.

Find more information on the Our Voices, Our Future: Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service webpage.

Quick Links

2024-2025 | 2025-2026 | 2026-27 (not approved)

Contact: Sandy Anderson | 571-423-1080

Executive Administrative Assistant: Stephanie Sheridan | 571-423-1065

25 minutes 27 seconds ago

Springfield District Member - Sandy Anderson - Recent Updates

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