FCPS This Week - January 15, 2023
Fairfax Academy students warm up their voices.
Superintendent to Present Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is scheduled to present the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at the School Board meeting on Thursday, January 23, at 7 p.m.
The meeting can be viewed on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel, and the FCPS website.
Stay Informed: Access School Board Meetings Anytime
If you miss a School Board meeting or work session, catch up at your convenience by visiting the FCPS YouTube channel. To watch School Board meetings dubbed in Spanish, visit the FCPS en Español YouTube channel.
If you would like language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting, please contact the board clerk. Find your School Board members and learn how to contact them on the School Board Members webpage.
🔬 Students Named Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars
Eight FCPS students have been named scholars in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search. The students are part of a group of 300 scholars selected from nearly 2,500 entrants in the 2025 competition. See the list of scholars.
🏗️ Proposed Construction, Renovation, and Enhancements Support Students and Sustainability
Fairfax County Public Schools has updated plans for new school construction, capacity enhancements, and renovations, as part of FCPS’ proposed FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP is updated annually to reflect changing conditions in our schools and construction costs. The proposed CIP represents a commitment to providing equitable access to high-quality public school environments for all students.
The School Board discussed the proposed CIP at yesterday’s work session. View the presentation slides. A public hearing on the CIP took place last night. The board will vote on whether or not to approve the proposed CIP at their Thursday, February 6, meeting. Visit the CIP webpage for more information.
🧥 Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
Winter weather is here! As a reminder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy time outdoors. Schools monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside for activities like recess or physical education.
View Fairfax County’s Winter Weather/Extreme Cold safety tips.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please contact your school’s family liaison. You may also contact Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.
✈️ Learn About Opportunities for the Year Following Graduation at the Gap Year Fair
FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas will co-host the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 28, 6-8:30 p.m., at Marshall High School.
This event is for high school students and their families who are interested in learning about opportunities for the year following high school graduation. Students should register at USA Gap Year Fairs.
🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program is open through Thursday, March 6, at 4 p.m. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2025-26 school year.
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 and DLI Program Registration webpage.
📱 Student Rights and Responsibilities and Cell Phone Policy Survey Coming Soon
On Tuesday, January 21, all FCPS parents/caregivers and middle and high school students will be emailed invitations to participate in a survey that seeks to understand community support for proposed options relating to FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options.
The survey will be available until Monday, February 3. It will also be open to FCPS staff. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help us make informed, inclusive decisions for all our schools.
🏈 Band Director Enjoys Trumpeting Commanders’ Success
Luis Perez, band director at Holmes Middle School (pictured above at left), has been involved with the Washington football team for nearly as long as he’s worked at Holmes. He’s in his 29th year with Holmes and 28th as a trumpeter for the Washington Commanders Marching Band. Pictured with him are two former students who are also members of the marching band. Read more about Perez's experience as a teacher and band member.
🐯 Tiger Team Welcomes Newcomers to Mason Crest
Being the new kid in school is not always easy. At Mason Crest Elementary School, the Tiger Team is trying to make it easier.
Mason Crest sees a lot of changes in their student population every year. During the 2023-24 school year, Mason Crest had a 21.7% mobility rate (a measure of how many students move in and out of a school during the school year), which is almost double the average mobility rate of 13.25% across FCPS.
A year ago, three Mason Crest teachers — Monica Buckhorn, Ellyn Pearson, and Kimberley Mathews — came up with the idea of creating a student-led welcome committee to boost community, assist new students in adapting to their school, and hopefully improve attendance rates simultaneously. Read about the Tiger Team.
📍 Virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings
On Friday, we held our first virtual Community Boundary Review meeting. If you weren’t able to attend one of our recent in-person Community Boundary Review meetings, registration remains open for the following virtual meetings:
- Thursday, January 16, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Saturday, January 25, 9:30-11 a.m.
- Monday, January 27, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 28, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Monday, February 10, 6:30-8 p.m.
Click one of the dates above to register and receive your unique Zoom link. All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings, and the same information will be shared.
Please note that each virtual meeting will be capped at 400 participants to help provide a meaningful experience for all. Language interpretation will be available. Learn about FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.
📚 First Grade Readers Reaching Benchmark
In the latest issue of Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Reid shares a video of Rebekah Griffith’s first grade class. Students moved around the classroom looking for colors that begin with the consonant blends “br” and “bl.” Read more about how Rebekah follows Benchmark, the new literacy curriculum, with her students in Weekly Reflections.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders
Martin Luther King Jr. Day/Inauguration (Holiday)
Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday and the Presidential Inauguration.
Quarter End/Lunar New Year/Teacher Work Day
Tuesday, January 28, is the last day of the second quarter. It is a full school day.
Wednesday, January 29, is Lunar New Year and a teacher workday. There will be no school for students.
See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar.
SIS ParentVUE End-of-Quarter Closure
The Gradebook in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed for the end of the quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.
Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.
🥫 Help Restock Food Pantries
Stuff the Bus is a partnership between Fairfax County Government and local nonprofits. Now in its 14th year, Stuff the Bus continues to support food assistance efforts for families and households. Stuff the Bus has collected more than 220 tons of food to feed people experiencing food insecurity in Fairfax County.
You can help stuff the bus at select locations beginning Saturday, January 18. Visit the Stuff the Bus webpage for locations and a full list of requested items.
