FCPS This Week - February 5, 2025
Students participate in a Lunar New Year parade at Haycock Elementary School.
FCPS Proposed Budget Progress
The Fairfax County School Board discussed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at their work session yesterday. 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.
🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
Countywide lottery registration for the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program for first graders in the 2025-26 school year is open through Thursday, February 13, at 4 p.m. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program through Thursday, March 6, at 4 p.m.
Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Interested parents/caregivers may want to attend an informational meeting at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program registration page for a list of meetings by language offered.
Get more details on the DLI Program webpage.
🧲 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. Learn more about the programs on the Elementary Magnet Schools page and information on the magnet lottery on our Registration Page.
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, 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.
🔊 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. Visit the Family Summit webpage for more information.
At the event, FCPS students are invited to showcase projects and advocacy efforts around inclusivity in schools. This is a great resume-building opportunity and students can earn service hours as well. Students can share their work in a share-fair environment through posters, essays, videos, songs, or art. They will interact with attendees through conversations about their work, ideas, and efforts to foster inclusivity in school communities.
To participate, please fill out this Google Form — where you can also see a list of possible projects — by Monday, February 17. More information will be provided when your 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.
💙 At Glasgow, Every Student Can Find the Perfect Mentor
Glasgow Middle School is the largest middle school in Fairfax County, with more than 1,800 students. Its mentoring program goes above and beyond to make the large campus feel more like a close-knit community. More than 60 mentors volunteer at Glasgow, and the number is growing as even more volunteers step up to mentor.
Mentors and mentees usually meet once or twice a week, but it varies depending on the students’ needs.
Read more about the mentoring program at Glasgow.
Become a Mentor
Learn more about MentorWorks online or contact Martha Macdonald for information about mentoring an FCPS student.
💕 Thank You to Our School Counselors!
February 3-7 is National School Counseling Week, highlighting the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and planning for a career.
School counselors work with students in many ways, such as classroom lessons, group sessions, and individual counseling. Read this Employee Blog to learn more about two of our school counselors.
✨ FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered focuses on building school communities where student health and well-being are prioritized and student voice is centered.
Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations
Please make sure your child has all of their necessary immunizations. Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy!
Starting Monday, May 19, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. You can check your child’s immunization status and submit updated immunization information by accessing SIS ParentVUE.
Please check with your health care provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2024-25 school year. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your health care provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources. Be wise and immunize!
Preparing Students for the Future
In her Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid explores the new 3E Ready for Life measures of the state’s School Performance and Support Framework. “3E” represents experiences that foster student readiness for college Enrollment, meaningful Employment, and military Enlistment after graduation. Read more about how these will be factored into high school accountability measures.
✨ FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence features a similar focus on monitoring our students’ successful completion of advanced coursework. Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation, focuses on the availability of work-based learning opportunities and successful transitions to postsecondary opportunities.
📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Updates
The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee met Monday, February 3, at Gatehouse Administration Center. Please visit FCPS’ website to access key takeaways, the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received. Learn about the comprehensive boundary review process.
Virtual Community Boundary Review Meeting
The final virtual Community Boundary Review meeting will take place Monday, February 10, 6:30-8 p.m. (Click the date to register.) Participants will follow the same format as the previous in-person meetings and have access to the same information.
Each registrant will receive a unique Zoom link. Language interpretation will be available.
Learn about FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.
School Board Meeting Thursday, February 6, at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, February 6, at 7 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:
- Virginia High School League and Academic Team Recognitions
- Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program
- Strategic Plan Update
View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders
🕒 Elementary Early Release
Elementary schools in the following pyramids will release early on Monday, February 10:
Edison, Hayfield, Lewis, Mount Vernon, South County, West Potomac, Annandale, Falls Church, Justice, Lake Braddock, West Springfield, and Woodson.
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.
Presidents Day (Holiday)
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, for the Presidents Day holiday. See the complete school year calendar.
