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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
Meeting information and materials will be posted to BoardDocs.
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February 18 at 2 p.m. - Governance Committee Meeting
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February 18 at 5 p.m. - Work Session: Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget and Middle School Start Times
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February 20 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Strategic Plan Goal 3 Report, FY 2026 Proposed Budget, etc.
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February 25 at 3 p.m. - Joint Board of Supervisors and School Board Budget Committee Meeting
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March 11 at 10:30 a.m. - Work Session: Strategic Plan Goal 4 Report and Student Rights & Responsibilities
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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
Read more about the winners.
🏛️ Students Participate in Student Leadership Program with District 36 Senator Stella Pekarsky
Sixteen FCPS students from Centreville High School, Chantilly High School, Oakton High School, Mountain View High School, Westfield High School, and Robinson Secondary School participated in Senator Stella Pekarsky’s High School Youth Leadership Program for the 2025 Legislative session. This program allowed high school juniors and seniors to visit Richmond during the VA General Assembly's legislative session and learn about political leadership on the state level. Students engaged in hands-on learning as they observed committee hearings and floor debates, toured the state capitol, participated in panels with advocates, lobbyists, and political leaders, and met lawmakers and their staff. They were also introduced by Senator Pekarsky on the Senate Floor. This was a great opportunity for our students to learn about future careers in government, politics, or law.
💻 Nine Schools Receive FCPS School Communications Awards
Fairfax County Public Schools presented nine schools with awards for outstanding school communications at the third annual School Communicators Conference held on January 29 by the Office of Communications.
The 2024 Awards of Communication Excellence celebrate the creation of excellent websites, newsletters, and social media content that inform and engage readers. The winners are examples of the substantial talent that exists among the community of FCPS school communicators.
Congratulations to the following schools in which Springfield District students attend!
Bryant High School - Best of the Web Award
Chantilly High School - Best of the Web Award
Woodson High School - Best in Show
Read more on the FCPS website.
🖼️ Fairfax County Council PTA 2024-2025 Reflections Award Winners
Congratulations to the following Springfield District students who won Outstanding Interpretation Awards (first place) in the Fairfax County Council PTA’s 2024-2025 Reflections Awards! This year’s theme was Accepting Imperfection.
Literature
Connor Humber (Accessible Arts) - Hunt Valley Elementary School
Abby Houlahan (Intermediate) - Cherry Run Elementary School
Music Composition
Brianna Le (Middle School) - Lake Braddock Secondary School
Visual Arts
Bruno Funes (Middle School) - Irving Middle School
Read the full list of winners.
🎭 Upcoming School Performances
Don’t miss the many upcoming school performances featuring our outstanding Springfield District students! Among them are
Robinson Secondary School
Seussical the Musical
February 20 (Sensory Sensitive Performance), 21 and 22
Buy tickets
Fairfax Academy
Fairfax Academy Dance Benefit Concert
February 21
Free/Donations appreciated
Irving Middle School
Frozen, Jr.
February 21, 22, and 23
Buy tickets
Woodson High School
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
March 7 and 8
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.
🎖️ Region 5 U.S. Service Academy and ROTC Night
Are you interested in attending a U.S. Service Academy or joining an ROTC program in college? Join fellow Region 5 students from Chantilly, Fairfax, and Woodson High Schools on February 26, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Fairfax High School (Snow Date: March 6, 2025, at 7 p.m.) to learn about these exciting opportunities!
✅ Service Academies offer a free college education in exchange for military service. Cadets/midshipmen train full-time while earning their degrees. Most Service Academies require a nomination.
✅ ROTC programs allow students to attend civilian colleges while receiving military training and possible scholarships. Graduates commission as officers after completing their degrees.
📢 Who should attend? 🔹 Students interested in a military-affiliated college experience 🔹 Juniors considering applying to Service Academies or ROTC programs
Questions? Email Christine Lieb-Mosley at [email protected].
2025 Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs
Join me at the Springfield District’s 2025 Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs! The fairs focus on students and young job seekers looking for a variety of employment opportunities; full and part-time, seasonal, internship opportunities, and volunteer positions. Students of all ages are encouraged to attend, but most opportunities will be geared toward students ages 16-18. The fairs have provided thousands of teenagers the opportunity to get in front of employers and for our employers to find talented Fairfax County students to fill their positions. Last year over 1,500 students and around 100 businesses participated.
The Teen Job Fairs will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at West Springfield High School and Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Chantilly High School.
Student registration is free and open to all teens in Fairfax County looking for employment, volunteer opportunities, or tips on building their resume.
Business registration is also free and open to any organization providing positions for students. Free table space and a complimentary table covering will be provided to registered businesses and organizations to advertise their available positions. Participating businesses must provide positions for students at the fair; soliciting without offering positions is not permitted.
The fairs will include resume and career-building workshops with our Chamber of Commerce partners. Students of any level of experience are encouraged to attend these workshops.
To prepare for the fairs, students may view these resources provided by the Fairfax County Department of Family Services.
For more information on the fairs, please visit the Teen Job Fair Series webpage.
2025 National STEM Festival Public Expo
EXPLR invites families and students in grades 2-12 to the 2025 National STEM Festival: Public Expo and Student Showcase on Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (1850 K Street Northwest) Enjoy an inspiring day of exploration, innovation, and creativity.
- Meet 100+ National STEM Champions, showcasing breakthrough projects in AI, medicine, sustainability, aerospace, and more.
- Engage with interactive exhibits and hands-on STEM activities led by scientists, educators, and leading STEM organizations.
- Don’t miss the chance to snag free giveaways, including STEM kits, educational resources, and exclusive event swag!
This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited, so register now to reserve your spot!
National Wildlife Photo Contest
The prestigious National Wildlife® Photo Contest celebrates wildlife, habitats, and the natural world, with an emphasis on conservation and ethical photography honoring the well-being of animals in the wild.
In keeping with the National Wildlife Federation’s critical work combating climate change, protecting wildlife, and connecting people with nature, the National Wildlife Photo Contest inspires millions of NWF members and supporters to care about wildlife and to act on its behalf. EcoSchools U.S. encourages aspiring young photographers and conservationists, ages 13-17, to share their best images of wildlife and wild lands—from around the world and their backyards—in the Young Nature Photographers category.
Learn more about the NWF Photo Contest and apply. The contest closes on March 23, 2025.
Dream Project CTE Scholarship 2025
The Dream Project provides Career and Technical Education (CTE) scholarship opportunities to students born outside the United States and whose immigration status creates barriers to success in college. Details and application materials can be found on the Dream Project website. The application window is open from Monday, March 3 to Monday, March 31, 2025.
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities Youth Leadership Academy
The Youth Leadership Academy (YLA), is one of the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities flagship training programs. This year's YLA will be held at Virginia State University Monday, July 14 - Thursday, July 17, 2025. Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are interested in becoming leaders in their school communities are strongly encouraged to apply as YLA delegates. Refer to the YLA Application - Virginia Board for People with Disabilities for additional details and to apply. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 28, 2025.
Community News
Black History Month Kickoff Celebration (Note: Date Change)
FCPS’ Chief Equity Office invites the community to an Inaugural Black History Month Kickoff Celebration on Wednesday, February 19, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event begins with a light reception followed by a formal program, From the Threads of Our Past to the Fabric of Our Future. The program will honor the enduring contributions of Black history and culture while envisioning a future rooted in equity and excellence. It will include inspiring performances, personal stories, reflections, and opportunities to connect and celebrate. The event is open to the entire community.
For more information, contact Nina Thomas, senior manager for Professional Learning and Cultural Responsiveness.
🏅 Advisory Committee for Students With Disabilities Seeks Nominations for First-Class Awards
First-Class Awards are presented each year to individuals who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the 2025 First-Class Awards. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students who demonstrate the inclusion of students with disabilities in all facets of education.
Nominees should model excellence in their role relative to special education, have a positive impact that benefits disabled and non-disabled students alike, and be committed to creating an inclusive environment and mindset.
Nominate an administrator, staff member, student, or community partner who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools. Nominations close Wednesday, February 19.
✨ Ensuring every student experiences an equitable school community is part of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 2.
Family and Student Resources
Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!
Ombuds staff engage with FCPS staff, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Ombuds office staff members are available to help resolve disagreements involving employees in the workplace or between parents and schools. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email [email protected], or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.
💵 Virtual FAFSA Workshops
uAspire is hosting free virtual events for students and families through the financial aid process and applications, providing resources and guidance, and answering questions. Each session is 1 hour.
FAFSA Walkthrough
Get an overview of the new FAFSA, the application required by all colleges nationwide to receive federal financial aid.
- Thursday, February 20, 2025 - 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 4, 2025 - 7 p.m.
- Thursday, April 3, 2025 - 5 p.m.
Register in advance.
Financial Aide Offer Review
Know how to review financial aid offers, compare different offers, and ultimately determine a college’s affordability.
- Tuesday, February 11, 2025 - 7 p.m.
- Thursday, March 27, 2025 - 4 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - 4 p.m.
Register in advance.
Scholarship Basics & Tips
An introduction to the different types of scholarships, their requirements, and how to search for them.
- Wednesday, March 12, 2025 - 5 p.m.
Register in advance.
Affording College 101
Understand the financial aid and college affordability process, including the cost of attendance, the different types of financial aid, and the timeline.
- Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - 7 p.m.
Register in advance.
Summer Steps for Financial Aid
Understand how to prepare for college during the summer, plan to pay the bill, and complete other important financial aid steps.
- Thursday, May 15, 2025 - 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - 4 p.m.
Register in advance.
Middle School Transition Fair
Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students in Special Education
It’s never too early or too late to start preparing for your future. We want to help you start planning for a successful transition from school to life as a young adult. Ensuring the postsecondary success of our students with disabilities is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School.
You will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of representatives from CTS programs and services for students with disabilities, as well as learn about short and long-term postsecondary supports, employment and postsecondary education considerations, Supported Decision Making, and student self-determination as an evidence-based predictor of post-school success.
This event also includes two speakers who will discuss IEP transition planning, special education services, and postsecondary options for younger students as they navigate FCPS and plan for their future. A question/answer session will follow.
Register in advance.
🚨 Project Lifesaver
The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office Project Lifesaver Program helps children and adults with autism, Down syndrome, dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other cognitive conditions that may cause wandering. Participants wear a wrist or ankle band that emits a radio signal, enabling deputies to locate them quickly if they go missing.
Deputies trained in search and rescue, use advanced equipment to bring missing individuals home safely. The program has a 100% success rate. Deputies also check in every 60 days to replace the device battery and update client information electronically.
Project Lifesaver is funded by donations, with an annual cost of $300 per client. A $25 monthly caregiver donation is suggested, but participation is not dependent on payment.
Complete the Project Lifesaver Application.
❤️🩹Community Services Board Monthly Health and Wellness Newsletter
Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) is excited to announce the launch of our new monthly Health and Wellness Newsletter – your ultimate guide to everything CSB! Each month, we’ll bring the latest updates, exciting resources, and helpful tips to support the Fairfax-Falls Church community in navigating the world of health and wellness.
What can you expect? Here’s a sneak peek:
- Featured Blog/NewsLink: Stay up to date with the latest news and stories from the CSB.
- Wealth, Health Promotion, and Prevention Training: Get the scoop on upcoming training opportunities.
- Service Spotlight: Meet the amazing CSB staff through interviews and insights.
- Wellness Tips: Practical advice to improve your well-being.
- How to Access CSB Services: Easy-to-follow steps for getting the support you need.
Anyone in the community can sign up to get these updates! You can find the sign-up link on our website, and we’re actively promoting it through our social media pages.
Register to receive the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board monthly newsletter.
🤧 Protect Yourself and Your Community From the Flu
Fairfax County is experiencing high levels of influenza (flu) illness. The Fairfax County Health Department reports that visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings.
Read this letter from the health department, which includes the following steps to reduce the spread of flu and other germs:
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Cover coughs and sneezes. If you must be around others while ill, wearing a mask can help reduce spread.
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Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available (with supervision for younger children).
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Clean frequently touched surfaces.
According to the health department, to help prevent or reduce the spread of illness, it is important for individuals who are sick to stay home and away from others until symptoms improve and until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours. Visit our Attendance webpage for guidance.
Parent Tech Talk
Navigating the digital world with your child can feel overwhelming. Here are 10 essential tech tips to help keep them safe online.
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Talk Openly: Start an open, two-way conversation with your child.
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Control Access: Password-protect or control access to your child’s app store and gaming downloads.
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Set Limits: Establish clear time and area limits for device usage. Set regular "device check-in" times.
- Set a screen time limit on your iPhone
- Set a screen time limit on your Android
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Privacy First: Set all apps, games, and devices to private.
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Location Protection: Turn off location data services on social media and nonessential apps.
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Data Forever: Explain to your child that information shared online can last a lifetime.
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Family Agreement: Create a contract with your child regarding online behavior.
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Friend List Review: Regularly review your child's friend lists on social media platforms and remove any unknown contacts.
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Beware of "Game Switching": Warn your child never to leave a game to chat with someone they don't know on a different platform.
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Understand Artificial Intelligence: We're all looking to understand AI better—parents and educators alike. Check out this quick video about how to discuss generative AI at home.
Evidence Preservation: Do not delete messages, images, or videos from predators, and do not forward any sexually explicit images or videos. Save usernames, screenshots, and images or videos as evidence for law enforcement to collect directly from the device.
For Tweens and Teens
- Talk about how they should never post personal information or inappropriate content.
- Discuss sexting and the permanency of online data.
- Teach them how to avoid online predators by setting up privacy controls on their devices, like restricting apps’ location access.
- Explain the warning signs that characterize online predators.
- Tell them that safe adults won’t ask them to keep secrets or disrespect their boundaries.
- Help them identify a trusted adult or guardian they can go to for help.
- Discuss steps they can take if a friend confides in them about inappropriate online interactions, such as telling a trusted adult or pointing them to Know2Protect resources.
- Explain that minors shouldn’t share sexual abuse material because it’s illegal.
- Explain that even if they’ve already shared sexual abuse material or been involved in inappropriate online interactions, it’s not too late to tell an adult and get help.
- Discuss cyberbullying.
2025 Family Summit
Attend the Family Resource Center’s 2025 Family Summit Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School.
The in-person conference promises to cover a variety of topics designed to benefit all families. Drs. Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak, best-selling authors, inspirational speakers, and inclusion advocates, will join us to share the work they have done around inclusive schooling. After the opening session, families will have the opportunity to participate in two breakout sessions.
Participants can expect engaging discussions on special and general education topics around the following themes:
- Advocating for your student,
- Supporting your student,
- Partnering with your school, and
- Understanding your students' learning.
Alongside a variety of exhibitors offering resources and details on community events and services, our student showcase will provide a platform for students to showcase their creativity and leadership by sharing projects and initiatives they've designed or led.
We invite you to join us as we come together to create a safer, more supportive, and inclusive community for all. Your participation is invaluable as we work toward this common goal.
Register in advance. Visit the Family Summit webpage for more information.
Free Workshops from the Family Resource Center
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).
In September, the FRC will host webinars for families on supporting siblings of children with disabilities, helping students organize their school work, working with children who like to push boundaries, and teen development and well-being. Sign up for the FRC newsletter for their latest offerings or visit their webinar webpage.
February and March webinars and workshops include:
It's Time to Plan for Summer Camp!
The 2025 Guide to Summer Camps is now accessible on the Family Resource Center.
FCPS Trust Policy
On April 28, 2022, the School Board voted to adopt the Trust Policy which affirmed our commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all students and their families. This policy aligns FCPS policy with Fairfax County Government’s Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. This policy ensures that students and families can access the division’s benefits and services without fear of information being disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials.
At the following link, you will find a copy of the Trust Policy’s One Pager highlights the responsibilities of the Trust Policy. Information regarding this policy can be found here: www.fcps.edu/trustpolicy.
In Case you Missed It
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January 22 FCPS This Week shared updates on the following topics and others.
- Virginia’s Student Assessment Summary for Families
- Judges Needed for Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair
- Course Selection for Middle and High School Students and Graduation Requirements and Planning
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January 29 FCPS This Week shared updates on the following topics and others.
- Fiscal Year 2026 Superintendent’s Proposed Budget
- Student-Driven Lunch Menus
- Piloting New Technology at Lighthouse Schools
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February 5 FCPS This Week shared updates on the following topics and others.
- Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
- Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations
- Comprehensive Boundary Review Updates
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February 13 FCPS This Week shared updates on the following topics and others.
- Learn More About How Your Child Feels at School
- Few FCPS Students Contribute to “Nation’s Report Card”
- Breaking Down the Budget
- February Audit Buzz 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
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
