FCPS This Week - December 4, 2024
These Chantilly High School students are very proud to be Chargers!
2025-26 FAFSA Form Now Available
The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available. Any college-bound high school senior — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to work with their children to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Check each college’s financial aid office webpage for deadlines and financial aid forms. Then, create an account (if you have not already done so) and fill out the FAFSA.
The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application will be available in late January for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. To help determine which aid option is right for you, visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website.
Get Help Filling out FAFSA From College Access Fairfax
Over the next few months, College Access Fairfax will offer several programs to help students complete the FAFSA/VASA, and find and apply for scholarships. Get information on these programs and how to access them on the College Access Fairfax website.
In addition, College Access Fairfax staff are available for virtual one-on-one help sessions to complete the FAFSA/VASA. To request an appointment, families should email [email protected].
⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times
At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.
The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.
Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.
Learn More About FCPS From the Family Academy’s Orientation
This interactive orientation provides information about FCPS, the connections between family engagement and student achievement, school staff you should know, and programs and technology considerations for families. The orientation also includes a helpful discussion for families who are new to the United States.
Sessions in English will be held online on Tuesday, December 10, at 6 p.m. and Thursday, December 19, at 6 p.m. Register in advance. Visit the Family Academy catalog page to see when orientation will be offered in Korean and Spanish.
✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
🧪 Save the Date: Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair
Please save the date for the 70th annual Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair, which will be held on the weekend of Friday, March 21, to Sunday, March 23, 2025.
🎻 Bands and Orchestras Chosen for State Music Educators Conference
Seven FCPS bands and orchestras performed at the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Conference in November. See what schools were represented.
💻 Virtual Therapy Available 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.
✨ Access to emotional, behavioral, and mental health services to support engagement in school is one measure of Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
⚔️ “Lear” Captivates with Commanding Performances and Haunting Design
Fairfax County Public Schools students are talented actors, musicians, and visual artists. Many FCPS high schools participate in the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Critics and Awards Program for High School Theatre, otherwise known as the Cappies.
The Cappies is a program through which high school theater and journalism students are trained as critics, attend shows at other schools, write reviews, and publish those reviews in local newspapers.
Read the review of “Lear” performed at Woodson High School, written by Lucy Baboyian of Annandale High School.
📖 Showcasing Student Success in Literacy
In recent issues of Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shared some ways elementary schools are promoting literacy and reading on grade level by the end of third grade, which is one measure of FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence.
Dranesville Elementary School recently had an ABC fashion show, and Bonnie Brae Elementary School celebrated its literacy and math night with a camping theme (pictured above)! Learn more (and see more pictures) in the November 24 and December 1 issues of Weekly Reflections. Subscribe today.
Support Literacy at Home
Looking for ways to help support your child’s reading and writing at home? Visit the FCPS Literacy Resource page for tips and information about the Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System.
🙋♂️ Attendance Is Important Every Day!
The weeks surrounding winter break often include more empty seats in classrooms. Every hour of every school day is a unique opportunity for students to learn, connect, and grow. Let’s nurture a rock-solid attendance habit.
A big thank you to:
- 🌟 Students who show up daily and the parents/caregivers supporting them.
- 👩🏫 Teachers who create a welcoming environment for learning.
- 👨💼 Administrators who provide a safe and engaging place to grow.
- 👏 Bus drivers, support staff, and volunteers who help our learners.
If you or your child need support, please contact a school counselor, social worker, or family liaison.
If your child is not feeling well, please refer to our guidance on when to keep your child home.
Find more attendance resources.
Webinar on Overcoming School Resistance
Does your child resist going to school or refuse to go? If so, join the Family Resource Center’s School Resistance webinar on Friday, January 10, 10-11:30 p.m. The webinar will explore how to take care of yourself in the heat of the moment and set supportive boundaries at home. Register in advance.
✨ Student attendance is one measure of Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
📍 Attend a Boundary Review Committee Meeting
Boundary Review Community Meetings provide a great opportunity for families, staff, and community members to share their thoughts and questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.
The Region 3 meeting will be held on Monday, December 9, 6:30-8 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School in the cafeteria. Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to register or view other community meeting dates. Also, sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter.
📆 Calendar Reminders
🕒 Early Release Monday on December 9
Elementary schools in the following pyramids will release early on Monday, December 9:
- Herndon, Langley, Madison, Marshall, McLean, South Lakes, Centreville, Chantilly, Fairfax, Oakton, Robinson, and Westfield.
View Upcoming Events on your school’s homepage to find early release dates that will impact your child. Learn more about Limited Early Release Mondays.
❄️ Winter Break (Student Holiday)
Winter break is Monday, December 23, 2025, through Friday, January 3, 2025. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks before the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately after the break.
Classes resume on Monday, January 6, 2025. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year!
See the complete school year calendar.
School Board Meeting Thursday, December 5, at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, December 5, at 7 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:
- Strategic Plan Update
- FY 2025 Midyear Budget Review Presentation
- Awarding of Contracts
View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
Make a Difference for FCPS Students and Families
The end of a calendar year marks a time of global generosity when your tax-deductible donations can help organizations transform communities. It is also the kickoff to the Annual Giving Fund for Educate Fairfax, the only charitable foundation dedicated exclusively to the success of our Fairfax County public schools.
Your generosity can be felt in the classrooms, extracurricular activities, and programs that provide students with equitable access to innovative learning experiences, changing the lives of our students and families every day. For some families, securing essential needs such as clothing, medicine, emergency food, and hygiene supplies is a struggle. With your help, we can make their holidays a little brighter.
Educate Fairfax also plays a pivotal role in providing essential support and resources with initiatives focused on workforce development and addressing the critical issue of hunger. Please join in the spirit of the holidays so that local students have what they need to succeed in 2025 and beyond. Donate today.
🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide
Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance.
Learn how to help these families and discover the many resources available to support those experiencing food insecurity on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break
Fairfax County Public Library’s winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL branch or their Winter Reading Adventure website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.
Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.
⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!
The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county.
Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, the Holiday Lantern Tour at Colvin Run Mill, and many more fun events.
