FCPS This Week - February 19, 2025
Happy students arrive at Poplar Tree Elementary School.
📐 Breaking Down the Budget: Supporting Academic Growth and Algebra by Eighth Grade
The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
Since the 2023-24 school year, FCPS has seen a 9.5% increase in eighth graders taking Algebra I or more advanced math and a 6.8% increase in fifth graders in advanced math.
Studies show that students who complete algebra in middle school have more opportunities to take advanced math and science courses in high school. This can open up new academic paths for students! Watch our video to learn more about why eighth grade algebra matters.
One of the ways we’re investing in helping students do well in Algebra 1 by the end of eighth grade is by updating the math curriculum. (See below for how to review potential math resources.)
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget.
Review Possible K-12 Math Resources
FCPS will begin using new math resources for the 2025-26 (secondary) and 2026-27 (elementary) school years. A committee of community members, administrators, and teachers will meet to review materials submitted by vendors through a competitive request for proposals process. The community is also invited to review materials and provide comments.
Access resources online or review hard copies of instructional materials in person, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Dr., Suite 100. In-person public review will not be available on Tuesday, February 25; Thursday, February 27; Tuesday, March 11; and Wednesday, March 12.
All feedback will be shared with the review committee and Fairfax County School Board members before the board votes in spring 2025.
Budget Next Steps
The School Board Budget Committee met February 18 to discuss the FY 2026 Proposed Budget before the adoption of the FY 2026 Advertised Budget at the next School Board meeting on Thursday, February 20, at 7 p.m.
View the complete agenda for the February 20 meeting. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
⏰ School Board Discusses Middle School Start Times
At its work session on February 18, the School Board discussed the next steps in adjusting middle school start times. View the study completed by Prismatic Services, Inc.
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.
📑 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.
🥕 Springing Into New Lunch Menu Options
FCPS’ Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) has launched several new delicious items this month, including Asian meatball subs (pictured above, also available with veggie meatballs), fish tacos with pineapple pepper fruit salsa, alfredo and basil lasagna, and tomato soup. These nutritionally balanced menu items are student-tested and student-approved through FNS food shows, focus groups, and surveys.
As FNS Executive Director Shaun Sawko said in a recent video about new menu options, FCPS is “putting students at the center of every single one of our plates.” See what’s on the menu at your child’s school and learn about nutrition standards at FCPS.
✨ Student-driven food choices are just one way FCPS prioritizes student voice through our 2023-30 Strategic Plan’s Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
Fired Up for the Future: Students Attend Instruction 2 Industry Conference
Despite near-freezing temperatures outside, 500 FCPS students were aglow with enthusiasm at the fifth annual Instruction 2 Industry (i2i) Future Ready Conference on February 18. The students met with industry professionals to explore career pathways, made workplace connections, and gained valuable insights to support their post-graduation plans. A wide range of in-demand industries and career fields were represented, including health care, digital technology, public service and safety, and entrepreneurship. Read more about the conference.
✨ Helping every student graduate ready to thrive in life after high school and with the skills to navigate, adapt, and innovate for a sustainable future is Goal 5 of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
A Family Legacy Inspires Curiosity
Tonja Walden is a second grade teacher at Newington Forest Elementary School. She is also a great-great-great-niece of Frederick Douglass. This has not only been impactful for her life — she works every day to make sure it is impactful for her students. Read more about Tonja and watch this video to hear about her ancestry, Black History Month, and her students’ reactions to learning about her lineage.
🔊 Students Invited to Share Their Voices at the 2025 Family Summit
The 2025 FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, March 15, at South Lakes High School.
At the event, FCPS students are invited to showcase projects and advocacy efforts around inclusivity in schools. This is a great opportunity to build their resume and earn service hours. Students can share their work in a share-fair environment through posters, essays, videos, songs, or art.
To participate, please fill out this Google Form — where a list of possible projects is available — by Friday, February 21. More information will be provided once a submission is received. Reach out to Manuel Gomez Portillo with any questions.
✨ Centering student voice is part of FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
The Family Summit will also feature:
- Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak — best-selling authors, inspirational speakers, and inclusion advocates — will share work they have done around inclusive schooling.
- Breakout sessions.
- Vendor exhibits featuring valuable resources and services available in the community to support families.
- Networking opportunities to connect with other families, FCPS staff, and community partners.
Learn more about this event and register today! Childcare will be provided. Visit the Family Summit webpage or contact [email protected] for more information.
Being the “I” in Kindness
In her Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shared her experience attending Oak View Elementary’s Kindness Night. This event promotes the idea that simple day-to-day acts of kindness enable our schools, communities, and state to be a kinder, safer, healthier, and more inclusive place to live, work, learn, and play. Read more about the event in Weekly Reflections.
✨ A positive school climate is part of Goal 2 of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
👩🏫 Join Our Teacher Team! Virtual Career Fair
Would you or someone you know be a good fit for Team FCPS? If so, FCPS will be holding a virtual instructional job fair on Saturday, February 22, 9 a.m.-noon.
Attendees will have the chance to network and interview with representatives from our schools. Employment offers for the current school year may be presented during the fair.
Register to attend or visit the job fair webpage for more information. Contact the Department of Human Resources through their web portal or call 571-423-3000.
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Elementary Early Release
Elementary schools in the following pyramids will release three hours early on Monday, February 24:
- Centreville, Chantilly, Fairfax, Herndon, Langley, Madison, Marshall, McLean, Oakton, Robinson, South Lakes, 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.
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.
