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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,
Last weekend, I attended an FCPS event that I am still thinking about. Along with several of my colleagues, I attended the FCPS Family Summit at South Lakes High School. I hope it was a wonderful experience for all our special education families that were able to participate. I particularly enjoyed our keynote speakers, Dr. Julie Causton and Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak. We spent several hours together talking about how to do inclusion “right” in Fairfax County. It was a riveting and, surprisingly, funny morning together.
One of the best parts of what Dr. Causton and Dr. Pretti-Frontczak provided, beyond the laughs, was a dashboard full of resources including all the slides they shared during the talk. I wanted to make sure that I could get it all to you! Please visit their website and check it out for yourself. Heading to the “keynote” dropdown in the middle of the page will get you all the resources they discussed during their presentation.
As a parent, I have a lot of questions and a lot to learn about what I can do to help support inclusion in our schools from that perspective. This was a great opportunity to hear more about what inclusion can look like in a real classroom and the fact that our kids can usually figure out what inclusion means and how to do it far faster than we can as adults. I am so excited to see where we can go from here in Fairfax County!
I will be in touch soon!
Sandy Anderson
P.S. There is a ton of really awesome information in this month’s newsletter as we head towards summer! I hope to see everyone out and about over the next few months!
Left to right: Dranesville District School Board Representative Robyn Lady, Franconia District School Board Representative Marcia St. John-Cunning, Braddock District School Board Representative Rachna Sizemore Heizer, me, Student Representative Megan Sawant, and Hunter Mill School Board Representative Melanie Meren.
This newsletter includes information on the following issues:
Town Halls
Please join me for two upcoming town halls! First, Delegate Laura Jane Cohen (HD-15) and Delegate Mark Sickles (HD-17) will join Braddock District School Board Representative Rachna Sizemore Heizer and me on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the Irving Middle School auditorium. The delegates will discuss the 2025 General Assembly Session and their upcoming reconvene session. As the Vice-Chair of Appropriations, Delegate Sickles will give an update on the legislative budget negotiations.
Second, Jeff McKay, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, will join Member At-Large Kyle McDaniel and me for a Springfield District Budget Town Hall on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the West Springfield High School auditorium.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Meeting information and materials will be posted to BoardDocs.
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March 20 at 7 p.m. - Comprehensive Planning Development Committee Meeting
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March 27 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Strategic Plan Goal 4 Report, etc.
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April 1 at 10 a.m. - Public Engagement Committee Meeting
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April 1 at 3 p.m. - Governance Committee Meeting
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April 8 at 10:30 a.m. - Work Session: Strategic Plan Goal 5 Report and Student Rights & Responsibilities
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April 10 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Fiscal Year 2025 3rd Quarter Budget Review, etc.
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April 22 at 5 p.m. - Work Session: Will only occur if needed
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April 24 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Strategic Plan Goal 5 Report, 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 Advertised Budget
At the February 20 regular meeting, the School Board unanimously adopted the FY 2026 Advertised Budget. The budget demonstrates the school division's commitment to providing an excellent education to every student while serving as a responsible steward of Fairfax County taxpayer dollars.
Today's students require — and families expect — a broader range of educational opportunities that equip them for future careers and challenges, including expanded access to modern science laboratories, qualified educators to teach advanced courses, and enhanced STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) learning opportunities.
Meeting families’ expectations and students’ evolving needs is why competitive compensation is a critical component of the FY 2026 Advertised Budget. The budget includes $240.8 million for collective bargaining, providing a 7% salary increase for all employees with a goal of attracting and retaining the best educators. As school districts across the country, including FCPS, continue to navigate an ongoing teacher shortage, competitive pay is necessary to ensure that Fairfax County children are in high-quality schools with high-quality teachers.
Read more online. Watch the full meeting.
Joint Budget Committee Meeting With Board of Supervisors and School Board
On February 25 the School Board held a joint Budget Committee meeting with the Board of Supervisors in which the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Fairfax County and Fairfax County Public Schools Advertised Budgets were discussed. View the FY 2026 Fairfax County Advertised Budget presentation and the FY 2026 FCPS Advertised Budget presentation.
Watch the meeting.
Strategic Governance Manual Edits
The School Board voted to approve the edits to the Community Advisory Committee Operating Manual, Strategic Governance Manual, and Policy 1710 at the March 13 regular meeting.
Watch the full meeting.
Proclamations
I was pleased to support the following proclamations at the Board’s February 20 and March 13 regular meetings.
Superintendent Updates
📢 FCPS to Host Instructional Job Fair on March 22
FCPS wants you to join our team! We are looking for educators with a strong academic background and a passion for making a difference. To meet hiring needs in instructional areas, we are hosting a virtual job fair on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools will be available.
Registration is required to attend.
📍 The Comprehensive School Boundary Review Process Explained
Want to learn more about the ongoing Comprehensive School Boundary Review process? Watch this video for explanations of terms such as attendance zones, attendance islands, split feeders, and other factors that affect school boundaries. The video will also be available in other languages soon.
Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information and sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter.
Key Takeaways from the Superintendent’s 2/21 Boundary Review Advisory Committee Meeting
The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee met on Friday, February 21, at the Gatehouse Administration Center. As part of our commitment to transparency, we will continue to provide an update on the committee's work following each meeting.
Key takeaways from Friday’s meeting include:
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Welcome: Dr. Reid welcomed the group and reminded the committee that at the next meetings, the first two scenarios will be reviewed, including the evaluation of 6th grade in middle school, and a scenario that assumes all students attend the school that they are zoned to attend based on the current boundary.
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Education Session: The committee received presentations from FCPS staff related to school programs, the student transfer policy, and student membership projections.
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Community Feedback Data Review: Thru Consulting shared that summaries from virtual community meetings are available and reviewed how the summaries are organized.
- Closing
Please visit FCPS’ website to access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received. You may also learn about the Comprehensive Boundary Review and sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter.
🎤 Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! This spring, a series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. These events are an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS. Events are planned for the following dates from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
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Thursday, March 20, Cunningham Park Elementary School
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Monday, March 24, Kings Park Elementary School
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Tuesday, April 1, Lorton Station Elementary School
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Monday, April 7, Greenbriar West Elementary School
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Monday, April 21, Mount Eagle Elementary School
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Wednesday, April 23, Freedom Hill Elementary School
Events are open to all. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Click on the date to register for that event. Additional registration links will be shared in the near future and will be posted to our webpage along with other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
📐 Review Potential K-12 Mathematics Instructional Resources
FCPS will begin using new mathematics instructional resources for the 2025-26 (secondary) and 2026-27 (elementary) school years. The community is invited to review materials and provide comments. Access resources on the FCPS Mathematics webpage.
You may view hard copies of instructional materials on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, March 21, at 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Dr., Suite 100.
All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and with the Fairfax County School Board members before the board votes in spring 2025.
🧸 Give Your Kids a Strong Start: Apply for Early Childhood Education Programs
FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors ages 6 weeks to 4 years living in Fairfax County.
Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30. Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from expectant mothers and parents/guardians of children 6 weeks to 2 years old.
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, however, space is limited and provided based on need, not “first come, first serve.” Applications are accepted online, by email, by postal mail, or in person at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
✨ The availability of pre-K programs to meet community need is part of FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 1: Strong Start.
🤝 Collective Bargaining in FCPS Benefits the Entire Community
Fairfax County Public Schools has engaged with employees in collective bargaining in pursuit of balance and fairness, which has always been a core driver of success at FCPS.
Collective bargaining benefits the entire Fairfax community by reducing teacher turnover, improving the quality of education, and fostering strong school communities. High teacher turnover is expensive for school districts due to the costs of recruitment, hiring, and training new staff.
While fair compensation is a priority, unions also advocate for smaller class sizes, better resources, and policies that directly benefit students and families.
Collective bargaining will not result in the inability to address employee performance or to enact appropriate disciplinary action. Also, under state law, FCPS employees are not permitted to strike.
Learn more about FCPS unions and collective bargaining.
🔬 70th Annual Regional Science Fair
The 70th Annual Regional Science Fair will take place at Robinson Secondary School the weekend of March 21-23.
The fair is open to the public on Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 1-3 p.m., during the Open House. Community members are invited to see the project displays and congratulate our high school student participants.
Visit the science fair webpage for more information.
🩹 Avoid the Summer Rush: Schedule Required Seventh-Grade Vaccinations Today!
As required by the Code of Virginia, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend public school. All students entering seventh grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older.
- Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older.
- A complete series of two doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent/guardian, at the parent’s/guardian’s sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with their child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. If your child does not have a health care provider, please visit the FCPS Immunizations Resource page to find out where to get an immunization.
Please review the Virginia Department of Health information packet for more information on rising seventh-grade immunization requirements.
Springfield District Scene
Centreville High School’s Bella Voce Advanced Choir and Symphonic Choir attended a live-streamed performance of the opera Aida by Giuseppe Verdi! The opera was streamed as part of the Metropolitan Opera’s Met Live in HD program at the Springfield Mall movie theatre. Students felt like they were there in New York as they clapped for the orchestra director, heard the orchestra tune, and applauded along with the live audience! Singers learned about the synopsis and roles in advance and did some activities to become even more familiar with the storyline. The rumor is there are some new opera fans at Centreville!
Centreville’s Concert Bands for winning a Virginia Honor Band Award at the Virginia Band and Orchestra Director Association State Concert Band Assessment! Fantastic!
The excitement at Centreville continues as Danny McGlynn and Chris Siriwardene won the Region title as part of the Boys Indoor Track 4 x 800-meter Relay Team, and James Mahoney won the Region title for Boys Wrestling in the 157b lb. weight class! Congratulations!
Congratulations to the Chantilly High School Gymnastics and Boys Swim and Dive Teams for winning the Northern Region Championship! The winning Boys 200 Medley Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay included Ben Clabeaux, while the winning 200 Freestyle Relay included Nate Murphy.
The winning continues with Chantilly’s Boys Swim and Dive Team winning the VHSL state championship title and Ben Clabeaux winning as a member of record-breaking VHSL Boys Swim and Dive 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relay state championship teams! Additionally, Michael Santos took the VHSL Boys Wrestling state championship title in the 106 lb. weight class! Way to go!
Will Breslin, a former Chantilly Academy Auto Tech student, came to speak about his experience as a Motorsports Engineering major at the University of North Carolina (UNC), Charlotte. Will took Auto Tech 1, 2, and 3 during his time at Chantilly and has since discovered a major that allows him to combine his passion for automobiles and engineering. Will is also part of UNC Charlotte's Formula Society of Automotive Engineers team, 49ers Racing. So cool!
Chantilly Academy Carpentry 2 students took a field trip to visit local business partners, The Tailored Closet and Premier Garage of Greater Washington DC. For the second year in a row, owners Todd and Juliana Carter opened their showroom and warehouse doors to show Carpentry students how their business operates from start to finish, including their design, manufacturing, and installation processes.
Director of Operations Dylan Orr and Production Director Mitchell Rickard are both former Chantilly Academy Carpentry students and were able to share their journeys from the classroom to the workplace. A highlight of the field trip was learning about The Tailored Closet's design process with Dylan and then touring the warehouse with Mitchell to see how the manufacturing process is applied to make those design blueprints come to life.
The learning continues at Chantilly Academy with their Air Force JROTC program taking an orientation flight on a C-17 Globemaster III at the 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Before their flight, cadets had the opportunity to hear from Brigadier General David Cochran about his career in the Air Force and the mission of the 167th Airlift Wing.
Shout out to Fairfax High School’s Harry Maltese for winning the VHSL Boys Wrestling state championship title in the 215 lb. weight class!
Franklin Middle School 8th grade Civics students recently toured the Fairfax County Courthouse, during which they met judges from all three Fairfax County courts, spoke with court personnel including attorneys and bailiffs, participated in a mock train, and observed trials live. This was a great opportunity for students to see their curriculum in action!
Irving Middle School hosted award-winning author Neal Shusterman. Mr. Shusterman spent an hour answering student and staff questions via Zoom and shared the inspirations for his characters, his writing process, his current work, and more!
Congratulations to Katherine Johnson Middle School’s Science Olympiad Team for winning the Region Championship! The team won first place in seven events and won 25 total medals!
Katherine Johnson’s Nicolaus Maloney won Individual first place in the 2025 Northern Virginia Regional MATHCOUNTS Competition for the Fairfax Chapter! Outstanding!
Katherine Johnson’s Sauren Kwatra won first place in the 2025 Washington, D.C. Middle School History Bowl Championships as a member of the Quiz Bowl Team! Congrats!
The winning continues with Katherine Johnson’s Boys Futsal Team winning the Wester Fairfax Futsal League Championship! Way to go!
Key Middle School hosted its 3rd Annual STEM Event in which students worked collaboratively with staff and engineers from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Metropolitan Washington. Students worked collaboratively to design and build a popsicle stick bridge.
Congratulations to Lake Braddock Secondary School’s Holland Hasle for winning the Washington, D.C. Branch Championship for the ESU National Shakespeare Competition! Holland will now compete at the National level competition this spring in New York City!
Shout out to Lake Braddock’s Kasey Stafsudd and Victoria Shea for taking first place in the Region 5 National History Day Competition!
Lake Braddock’s former band director, Roy Holder, was inducted into the National Band Association Hall of Fame. This prestigious honor recognizes his lifelong dedication to music education, his unwavering commitment to excellence, and his profound impact on students, colleagues, and the band community.
Roy dedicated 24 years to the Lake Braddock band program, shaping it into one of the most respected music programs in the nation. His passion for music and leadership and his ability to inspire generations of young musicians have left an enduring legacy.
With his induction, Roy became one of only 64 members to receive this honor since the Hall of Fame’s inception in 1978.
Lake Braddock’s High School Concert Bands received their 42nd consecutive Virginia Honor Band Award at the Virginia Band and Orchestra Director Association State Concert Band Assessment! They are the only band in the Commonwealth to earn this award every year since its inception. Way to go!
Lake Braddock’s JROTC was recently featured on the news network WJLA. The story highlights the beneficial leadership skills and discipline of the program, whether or not students choose to serve in the military upon graduation.
The accolades continue with Lake Braddock Gymnastics Team winning its 4th consecutive VHSL state championship! Madi Bell won her 3rd consecutive All Around state title and the Uneven Parallel Bars and Balance Beam titles! Additionally, Josh Howat won the VHSL Boys Swim and Dive 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle! Way to go!
Oakton High School’s Vishal Manikanden, Malek Swilam, and friends bonded as members of the Robotics Team and are now taking on a challenge they hope will save lives!
The friends have dedicated months to developing an app that may help spot signs of oral cancer. This type of cancer is often only discovered in advanced stages when the chances of survival are diminished.
According to their website, “OCRadar is an innovative solution designed to revolutionize the detection of oral cancer. Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning, OCRadar offers a sophisticated tool for both medical professionals and the general public, facilitating early detection and improving the chances of successful treatment.”
The students, all 16 years old, are now seeking approval from the US Food and Drug Administration and the Apple Store for the application to be marketed as a wellness tool. They hope that the invention will eventually be accessible to billions globally and revolutionize cancer detection. Outstanding!
Their work illustrates Goal 5 of the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation.
Read more online.
Congratulations to Robinson Secondary School’s Lilla Wilbur for winning the VHSL Girls Swim and Dive 100-yard breaststroke!
Robinson hosted a Gala Performance in honor of Choral Director Mike Horanski’s 20th anniversary. The Robinson Philharmonic joined the Robinson Choir to perform Carmina Burana in collaboration with the Vienna Choral Society at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. The event was a "labor of love” led by Mr. Horanski and Anne Rupert, Robinson Orchestra & Philharmonic Director. It was said, “If you closed your eyes, you felt like you were at the Kennedy Center listening to the National Symphony Orchestra!” Congratulations, Mr. Horanski!
Shout out to the Rocky Run Middle School Girls Futsal Team for winning the Western Fairfax Middle School League championship!
Congrats to Sangster Elementary School’s Damian Anderle, Aaron Hunde, Eren Ogut, and Vanya Voloshin for taking first place in Teams in the 2025 Northern Virginia Regional MATHCOUNTS Competition for the George Washington Chapter! Additionally, Damian won first place in Individuals!
2024 Outstanding Elementary School New Teacher Finalist and Sangster’s art teacher Angela Ah Ryoung Sung was featured in FCPS News as March is National Art in Our Schools Month. Angela’s passion for the arts and her commitment to fostering creativity in students make her a vital part of Sangster’s school community!
Four South County High School juniors attended the West Point Leadership and Ethics Conference joined by 200 local students in thought-provoking discussions on ethical decision-making, teamwork, and leadership. Shout out to William Corner for being nominated for a prestigious scholarship opportunity based on exceptional leadership!
Congratulations to South County’s Girls Indoor Track Team for winning the Occoquan Region Championship!
South County excelled in the VHSL state championships as well, with the Girls Indoor Track and Field Team winning the 4x200 and 4x400 meter relay races and the state title! Additionally, the Boys Indoor Track and Field Team won the 4x200 meter relay state title!
The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology Rocketry NASA Student Launch Team completed its vehicle demonstration flight. The team launched an 8 ft. tall, 5.5 inches in diameter, high-power rocket to an altitude of around 4800 ft.
Members of the team worked hard yearlong to put this together, from writing the proposal, developing preliminary and critical design reports, and constructing the actual high-power rocket vehicle. The team will now prepare for the flight readiness report and will have the final NASA presentation and interview. TJ Rocket will be showcased at the Rocket Fair at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Shout out to West Springfield High School’s Ryan Coffey, Grace Kihoro, and Zach Kurry for taking first place in the Region 5 National History Day Competition!
The winning continues with West Springfield’s Boys Indoor Track Team winning the VHSL state championship in the 4x400 and 4x800 meter relays and Michael Murray winning in pole vault!
Congratulations to the Woodson High School Boys Basketball Team for winning the Occoquan Region title! In addition, the Science Olympiad Team won first place in the Nationals-Ready Regional tournament! Way to go!
🕊️ FCPS Students Honored With 2025 Student Peace Awards
Students from 27 Fairfax County public schools have been named recipients of the 2025 Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County, designed to recognize young people who work as peacemakers.
The Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County began in 2006 as a way to encourage people to think more about peace as both a means and an end and to recognize young people who work as peacemakers. Every year, the high schools in Fairfax County are asked to select one junior or senior, or a group of students, whose work has promoted peace. The project is organized by volunteers and funded by donations from 15 secular and religious sponsoring organizations.
Congratulations to Springfield District’s Kiran Ashok of Fairfax High School, Ghazi “Zizo” Hanania of South County High School, and Simeon Samuel of West Springfield High School.
Read more about their projects and see the full list of recipients.
🎭 Upcoming School Performances
Don’t miss the many upcoming school performances featuring our outstanding Springfield District students! Among them are
South County Middle School
Wendy in Wonderland
March 21
Buy tickets
Rocky Run Middle School
Rocky Run Advanced Theatre Arts Devised Show
April 3 and 4
Buy tickets
Fairfax High School
Hadestown: Teen Edition
April 25 and 26
Buy tickets
Thomas Jefferson HSST
Big Fish: School Edition
April 25 and 26
Buy tickets
Student Opportunities
Disclaimer: Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. These opportunities may utilize technology tools not assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parents or guardians before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity. Families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.
Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services Summer Camps
Registration for Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) summer camps has opened. NCS offers a variety of summer camps for youth and teens throughout Fairfax County. Register early and secure your spot!
NCS camps are offered from June 16 through August 15, 2025. Camps include
Find more information on the NCS website.
🤼 Lake Braddock Secondary School Spring Wrestling Camps
Lake Braddock Secondary School is offering spring wrestling camps for 6th - 12th-grade students with at least 1 year of wrestling experience.
- Sessions 1 and 2 will focus on Freestyle wrestling, helping experienced wrestlers sharpen their skills ahead of the Freestyle season.
- Session 3 is dedicated to Folkstyle wrestling, emphasizing both fundamental and advanced techniques.
- Each session runs for a month, with workouts held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Lake Braddock Wrestling Room.
Find more information and register.
2025 Asian Leadership Alliance Scholarship Application
Students may now apply for the Asian Leadership Alliance (ALA) Scholarship made possible by the support of ALA members and community partners. It is open to FCPS seniors planning to enroll full-time in a 2-year or 4-year accredited college or university. The scholarships will range from $1,000 to $1,500. The deadline to apply is March 21, 2025.
📣 West Springfield High School Teacher Workday Cheer Camp
The West Springfield High School Cheerleading Team is holding a Spartan Cheer Camp on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, which is a teacher workday. The camp is for students in grades K-8 and will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Find more information on the West Springfield Sports Camps webpage.
💧 Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District Scholarship
Fairfax County high school seniors or college freshmen are eligible to receive a $1,000 Future Conservation Leaders Scholarship from the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD). This scholarship supports studies related to natural resource conservation and invests in the talented youth of Fairfax County. NVSWCD’s Future Conservation Leaders Scholarship award winner will also be submitted to the VASWCD Educational Foundation committee for review and may be eligible to receive one of four $2,000 state-wide scholarships.
Apply by Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Learn more and apply for the Future Conservation Leaders Scholarship.
🌎 Youth Conservation Camp for High School Students
Applications are now open for Youth Conservation Camp, a week-long summer camp sponsored by the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. This year’s camp will be held July 13-19, 2025, on the Virginia Tech campus. This program will focus on forestry, soil, aquatics, and wildlife to teach youth more about the natural world with hands-on experience with conservation professionals. NVSWCD offers financial assistance and nominates campers in this selective program. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply.
Applications are due Sunday, April 20, 2025. Learn more about Youth Conservation Camp, including how to obtain an application. Contact the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District with questions.
🎖️ Academy Day 2025
Senator Mark Warner invites high school and middle school students, their parents or guardians, and school counselors to Academy Day 2025 on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the University of Mary Washington, Dodd Auditorium in George Washington Hall, 1301 College Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
The event will include a seated program that will provide a comprehensive overview of the United States service academies and their admission processes. Information will also be shared regarding application procedures for congressional nominations, medical requirements for the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB), and other military-related options that exist at higher education institutions in Virginia. Following the program, attendees will be able to meet with officials from all five academies as well as representatives from DoDMERB, Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Richmond, ROTC programs at the University of Virginia, the United States Marine Corps, the Virginia Military Institute, the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, the Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership at Mary Baldwin University, and the University of Mary Washington at their resource tables. Staff from Virginia congressional offices will also be available to answer questions.
As the event concludes, the University of Mary Washington will be offering campus tours. To participate, please meet at their resource table at 1:30 p.m.
Register in advance. Questions may be directed to [email protected].
😎 Summer Learning and Fun for Students
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Registration for these programs ends on Friday, June 6, 2025.
Career and Technical Education
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to allow current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Visit the TAC webpage to register.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Visit the CSA webpage to register.
Institute for the Arts Camps
IFTA is a two- or three-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9 (graduation requirement), music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage to register.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes. Visit the E-IFTA webpage to register.
Self-Directed Economics and Personal Finance
Summer is a great time for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance course requirement. During the self-directed course, students work independently to complete the requirements. The course is available between Monday, June 23, and Friday, July 25. Registration is now open. Students must register by Friday, May 23, 2025. For more information, see the Summer Learning information page.
Summer Online Campus
Take advantage of the opportunity to earn a high school course credit via this summer’s online campus program. Registration is now open. Students must register by Friday, June 6, 2025. Mathematics, health and physical education, career and technical education, English, science, social studies, and world language courses are available to eligible middle and high school students.
⚾ Springfield Challenger Baseball
Springfield Challenger Baseball, Little League Baseball for kids, teens, and adults with special needs, will open its 32nd season starting April 6th. They are looking for and have plenty of opportunities for new players.
The 2025 Spring Season will run from April 6 to June 15, 2025.
Beginning in 1993 with only nine players, they have grown to become one of the largest Challenger programs in the world, fielding over one hundred players annually in three age-appropriate divisions. The program is geared to all ages: Little Challengers (ages 4-12), Majors (ages 13-18), and a young adult league (ages 19 and up).
All games are on Sunday afternoons at West Springfield Little League Byron Avenue Fields. Games are non-competitive and adapt to each player’s individual needs.
For more information, contact either Eddie Garretson ([email protected], 703-304-2330) or Logan Bruno ([email protected], 571-331-1167).
🏀 Chantilly High School Boys Basketball Summer Camp
Chantilly High School is offering a Boys Basketball Summer Camp June 16-25, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $165 per camper. Registration is required.
🏀 Chantilly High School Girls Basketball Summer Camps
Chantilly High School is offering two Girls Basketball Summer Camp sessions. The first session will take place June 16-20, 2025, from 12 to 5 p.m. with the second session taking place July 21-25, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. One session is $200 per camper. Both sessions is $360 per camper. Find more information and register.
⚽ Lake Braddock Secondary School Summer Sports Camps
Lake Braddock Secondary School is offering summer sports camps for students for rising 3rd - 12th graders. Camps include baseball, boys and girls basketball, dance, field hockey, boys and girls lacrosse, soccer, softball, girls volleyball, and wrestling. Find more information and register on the Bruins Sports Camps 2025 website.
🥍 Oakton High School Summer Sports Camps
Many Oakton High School coaches are hosting summer camps. Camps include baseball, boys and girls basketball, field hockey, football, and girls lacrosse. Find more information and register on the Oakton High School Summer Camps website.
🏀 Lewis High School Girls Basketball Summer Camp
Lewis High School is holding a Girls Basketball Camp July 7-11, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The camp is geared toward rising 1st-10th graders. Find more information and register online. Questions may be directed to Coach Sam at [email protected].
🏐 West Springfield High School Boys Volleyball Summer Camp
West Springfield High School is holding a Spartan Boys Volleyball Summer Camp July 14-18, 2025. The camp is split into two sessions. Session 1 is for rising 6-8 graders, and Session 2 is for rising 9-12 graders. Find more information on the West Springfield Sports Camps webpage. Questions may be directed to Coach Aubrey Eaton at [email protected].
✍️ 2025 Virginia School Boards Association Student Essay Contest
The Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA), of which the Fairfax County School Board is a member, is holding a personal essay/speaking contest where the first-place winner will present before an audience of more than 200 school board members and administrators at the 2025 VSBA Conference on Education held at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa at Short Pump on July 25, 2025. Additionally, the first-place winner will have the opportunity to present at the 2025 Student School Board Representative Workshop at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia, on November 19, 2025.
This year’s topic is Champions for Impact. The first-place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The deadline for submissions is Monday, May 5, 2025. View the essay contest guidelines and the entry form.
🗺️ High School Summer Study Abroad Program
Are you interested in a summer study abroad in high school? The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) has international programs for language and culture, STEM, social change, and arts and culture in 35 different countries around the world.
Students are invited to choose 3-4 week-long experiential learning programs that run in over 30 study centers worldwide in the Summer of 2025! All Language and Culture (L&C) programs are educationally aligned with the ACTFL standard of language learning in secondary school. Students participating in L&C programs can opt in for 4 college credits for only $150.00. CIEE School of Record is fully accredited by Tulane University.
Merit and need scholarships are available for students. For more information, please visit the CIEE website.
Community News
Help for Residents Affected by Downsized Federal Workforce
The Fairfax County government has compiled resources for former federal employees, contractors, and anyone else affected by job loss. Services include tips on searching and preparing for a new job. Also, financial help is available for many Health and Human Service programs, taxes, and pet-related expenses.
🚍 Student Bus Passes Offer Free Transportation All Year
All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and City of Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the pass, fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year. Learn more about the Student Pass and view the middle school, high school, and alternative learning center bus routes.
Complete the application and return it to your school office. Parent/guardian consent is required.
Family and Student Resources
Become Unskippable: Practical Guidance for Talking With Teens About Fentanyl
Teens skip things that don’t interest them, including lectures from their parents. But young people die from fentanyl overdoses in Fairfax County each year — so it’s important to have short, impactful talks with your teen, whether or not you think they’re at risk.
As a parent or caregiver, you have the power to become “unskippable” and talk with your teen in a way they will listen.
See our tips for talking with your teen about fentanyl and other difficult subjects. Watch this video to learn more about becoming unskippable.
Information for Caregivers on Eating Disorders
In 2013, Virginia passed a law requiring every school system to provide information annually to parents/caregivers of students in grades 5-12. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA 2023):
- Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. In the United States, 28.8 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives.
- There is no single cause of an eating disorder. Rather, it is a complex combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that converge and set off an individual’s predisposed genetic vulnerability.
In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed a webpage with detailed information and resources about eating disorders. In addition to the information on the FCPS website, the National Eating Disorders Association has a toll-free, confidential Helpline: 1-800-931-2237.
🗣️ Building and Maintaining Effective Communication with Your Children
Many families struggle with communication. It's rarely about big arguments, but often, it's the general daily interactions where connection falters. It is those missed cues, unsaid feelings, and misunderstood intentions that create barriers. Effective communication builds trust and understanding. It is greater than simply talking more to your children, and it definitely takes some thought and work on the part of parents to make it happen. Practical strategies to improve communication with your children to build strong, lasting relationships include
- Adjusting Communication to Your Child's Age and Development
- Creating a Safe Space for Open Communication
- Putting Away Distractions and Setting Aside Time for Communication
- Listening Actively and Validating Feelings
- Shifting the Focus from "What" to "How"
- Making Use of "I" Statements
- Making Use of Open-Ended Questions
- Tapping into Their Interests
- Remaining Patient and Persistent
Read more online.
Healthy Minds News shares information related to youth mental health and wellness for an audience of parents, educators, and community-based providers. Articles include tips and strategies for increasing wellness and resiliency, as well as fostering success at home, at school, and in the community.
💲Financial Aid Information for Military Families
College Access Fairfax will hold a virtual presentation on financial aid information for military families. Join them on Saturday, March 22, 2025. at 10 a.m. for a presentation by the lead financial educator and military benefits liaison from the Navy Mutual.
Topics covered will include:
- Residency requirements
- Using the GI Bill
- The Yellow Ribbon Program
- Using Chapter 35 (DEA benefits)
- Military scholarships and grants
- Virginia education programs
Join the session.
NOVA VISION 2025
FCPS and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), are offering an opportunity for students with disabilities interested in attending NOVA to learn about available options. The orientation will include presentations from Accommodations and Accessibility Services and Counseling Services, a mock NOVA classroom experience for students, and a NOVA student panel with a question and answer session. The event will take place at the NOVA Annandale Campus on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Register in advance.
Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Health Care
The Pacer Center is offering a virtual workshop to assist parents and guardians of children with disabilities in transitioning from pediatric to adult health care providers. When your young adult with special health care needs turns 18, they must transition from pediatric to adult health care providers. It is a complex process, and early planning is critical to achieving a successful change in care. This workshop will help parents and guardians understand what is involved with the transition, prepare for the move, and learn the differences between adult and pediatric health care services. It will also provide tips on how to find an effective provider that meets your young adult’s needs.
The workshop will take place on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 6 to 7 p.m. Register in advance.
🚨 Safety Resource Fair and Practice Event
Join a resource fair and practice event with Arlington first responders and community partners to learn about and practice navigating emergency and crisis resources. You'll be able to work on the creation of DD identification cards to hand to first responders to identify a disability in the event of an emergency. You can also work with first responders to role-play a variety of situations and ask questions about how you can navigate emergencies safely. Learn about setting up your own Emergency Health Profile. This team will also discuss 988 and options to call during a behavioral/mental health emergency and what you can expect.
The Arc of Northern Virginia's award-winning Tech for Independent Living team will be present to talk about free customized apps to grow skills, independence, and safety.
The event will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gunston Middle School.
Learn more and register. Admission is free.
📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
FCPS partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
💻 Hazel Health: Virtual Therapy for High School Students
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.
✨Student access to the necessary emotional, behavioral, and mental health services to support their successful engagement in school is part of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
📱 Parent Tech Talk
Use these discussion starters to talk about using social media safely with every age group.
Ask Questions
- What’s your favorite website or app? What do you like to do there?
- Have you ever seen something online you didn’t want to see?
- Do you ever talk to people you don’t know online? What are you talking about?
- Can you show me which sites and apps you’re using?
- Would you feel comfortable if I checked your accounts?
- What kinds of things do you post?
- How do you decide who to add as a friend?
- How much personal information do you share online?
Use these discussion starters to talk about using social media safely with every age group.
Reinforce Expectations
- It’s safest to only add people you know offline to your online circles. Ask kids to check their “friends” and “followers” lists to see who has access to their accounts. Encourage them to remove anyone they don’t know or trust. Children should also block or “unfriend” anyone bothering them.
- Privacy settings are there to help make the experience safe! Teach kids and teens to use privacy settings. While they don’t guarantee complete privacy, they can help children control who sees what they share.
- Today, one’s online reputation counts offline, too. Help children remove any personal or inappropriate images from social media and other accounts.
- If it wouldn’t be OK to do offline, it’s not OK online, either. Help children and teens report any criminal behavior to the police and report inappropriate posts to the website or app -- most have a system in place to handle these complaints.
If anyone sends them an inappropriate sexual request, they should report it to https://report.cybertip.org.
Free Workshops from the Family Resource Center and Family Academy
Parents and caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Learn more about the Family Resource Center (FRC). Sign up for the FRC newsletter for their latest offerings or visit their webinar webpage.
The Family Academy is a one-stop shop for resources, tools, and learning opportunities for families. The Family Academy offers in-person and virtual classes, workshops, webinars, and programs for families in our learning catalog. Sign up for the Family and School Partnerships newsletter or visit the Family Academy catalog for classes, workshops, webinars, and programs for families.
March and April offerings include:
In Case you Missed It
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February 19 FCPS This Week shared updates on the following topics and others.
- Supporting Academic Growth and Algebra by Eighth Grade
- Review Possible K-12 Math Resources
- Springing Into New Lunch Menu Options
- Students Attend Instruction 2 Industry Conference
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February 26 FCPS This Week shared updates on the following topics and others.
- Supporting Academic Growth and Reading on Level by Third Grade
- Budget Status and Next Steps
- Jumpstarting Their Future - CTE Programs
- Black History Month Celebration at Carter G. Woodson High School
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March 5 FCPS This Week shared updates on the following topics and others.
- Inclusive Learning
- Share Your Input on the County Budget
- 2025 Family Summit
- New School Breakfast Options
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March 12 FCPS This Week shared updates on the following topics and others.
- Fiscal Year 2026 Advertised Budget Invests in Excellence
- Next Step in the Budget Process
- Collective Bargaining Benefits the Entire Community
- FCPS Hosts Second Annual Food Show
- February Audit Buzz Newsletter
- March Audit Buzz Newsletter
- Special Education and 504 Newsletter: Spring Issue
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, sign up today.
Quick Links
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
Contact: Sandy Anderson | 571-423-1080
Executive Administrative Assistant: Stephanie Sheridan | 571-423-1065