FCPS This Week - January 23, 2025
Students collaborate during a math project at Brookfield Elementary School.
📈 Virginia’s Student Assessment Summary for Families
This month, families with children who took any Standards of Learning (SOL) test between school years 2015-16 and 2023-24 will receive a Student Assessment Summary Report. The report shows a student’s state percentile ranking for each test. This allows families to see how their child ranked compared to all Virginia students who took the same test that year.
Reports are available now in SIS ParentVUE Documents. They will be distributed by schools this month to students whose families do not have ParentVUE access. Learn how to access ParentVUE.
The report is intended to help families reflect on how their child performed across all tested subjects over the years. Our schools and staff are committed to working with families to support every student to reach their highest potential. Learn more about student assessments in FCPS on our webpage or contact your child’s school.
Superintendent to Present Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is scheduled to present the Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget at the School Board meeting on Thursday, January 23, at 7 p.m. View the full meeting agenda.
The meeting can be viewed on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel, and the FCPS website. To watch School Board meetings dubbed in Spanish, visit the FCPS en Español YouTube channel.
🔬 Judges Needed! Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair
The Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair will be held on Saturday, March 22, at Robinson Secondary School. Each year, more than 250 judges are required to evaluate science fair projects in a wide variety of categories ranging from plant science to engineering technology. Volunteers serving as judges should hold an advanced degree or possess extensive academic and/or professional experience in their selected judging category. However, all interested individuals are encouraged to apply.
Please note that parents/caregivers, teachers, and family friends are not permitted to judge in categories in which their child, student, or family friend’s child is competing.
📝 Application for the 2025 Student Representative to the School Board
The School Board student representative speaks for the interests of Fairfax County Public Schools students. The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a nonvoting, advisory capacity. Students currently in grades 9, 10, and 11 are eligible to apply.
Watch this video to learn about the experience from the current representative, Megan Sawant.
Application Information and Deadlines
To be considered for the election, students are required to provide the following:
- A written component is due Monday, February 24.
- A 30-second candidate video statement is due Wednesday, March 26. Candidates will be emailed a link to record their video on Monday, March 17.
Both application components are required to be considered for the election. Read more about the election process.
🏆 Teacher Honored with USA’s Highest Awards for Science and Math Teachers
South Lakes High School Math Teacher Emily Burrell was among 336 teachers and mentors from around the nation honored by former President Joe Biden as recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). Read more about the awards.
✨ 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 FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Intentional Support for Math Students Opens Opportunities
Last Thursday, Dr. Reid visited Poe Middle School and observed several sixth grade math classes. She spoke with teachers and Principal Jason Pannutti about ways the math team is working intentionally to review testing data, identify learning gaps, and provide support to students one-on-one and in small groups to overcome those challenges strategically.
During the visit, Dr. Reid enjoyed working directly with the students and reminding them how important a strong foundation in math can be. Read more about this school visit in the latest issue of Weekly Reflections.
✨ Successful completion of Algebra 1 by eighth grade is Goal 3 of FCPS’ Strategic Plan.
🏀 Basketball Teams Score a Slam Dunk for Literacy
On Wednesday afternoons during the winter, the Annandale High School boys and girls basketball teams make the short walk to Braddock Elementary School for a very important match-up.
The Atoms athletes are there to mentor third graders who could benefit from a little extra support in reading comprehension. For 10 weeks, the athletes and younger students sit head to head on benches in the cafeteria and work through literacy skills. Read more about this literacy program.
✨ Ensuring all students read on grade level by the end of third grade is Goal 3 of FCPS’ Strategic Plan.
January Is Mentoring Month
Are you interested in inspiring and guiding young people? Learn how adults can become mentors for FCPS students.
🌹 Be Our Guest for Langley High School’s Captivating “Beauty and the Beast” Production
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.
This review of Langley High School’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” was written by Warner Smith of Lake Braddock Secondary School.
📆 Never Miss a Show! Subscribe to the Fine and Performing Arts Calendar
Take a look at the Fine and Performing Arts calendar on FCPS’ website for individual listings of many middle and high school theater events. You may also subscribe to the calendar for notifications of upcoming performances.
🏗️ FCPS’ Proposed Construction Projects Offer Community-Wide Benefits
Fairfax County Public Schools’ updated plans for new school construction, capacity enhancements, and renovations are outlined in the proposed FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Projects include constructing two new elementary schools; renovations at 18 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools; and relocation of modular buildings.
The proposed CIP was presented to the School Board at the January 14 work session. A public hearing was also held January 14. The School Board will take action on the proposed CIP at its Thursday, February 6, meeting.
Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
Rising 7th-12th grade students are meeting with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Families are encouraged to actively participate in this important process.
School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.
🎓 Graduation Requirements and Planning
Planning which courses to take next school year — and in future years — must be given considerable thought. Students and families should review the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond.
The Middle and High School Curriculum webpage may also be helpful. Students and families should refer to their school’s website for their school-specific course catalog and course selection information.
Academy Open Houses Continue
FCPS high school academies open houses for interested students continue into February. Open houses are a great opportunity to visit classrooms, labs, instructors, and academy counselors. Academy elective courses provide students with a variety of career experiences, including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses. Students can explore more than a dozen career fields through FCPS academies!
Watch this video to learn more about academy programs. View the calendar of Academy Open Houses. For questions, email Bonnie Wannett.
✨ Availability of, accessibility to, and student enrollment in coursework in the arts, STEAM, career and technical education, trades, technology, and world languages is one measure of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity.
✈️ 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.
What Families Can Do to Fight Drug Misuse
FCPS is committed to raising awareness about the opioid epidemic with our educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Together, we can help ensure our students thrive.
What can families do?
- Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. More than 80% of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink.
- Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success.
- Show you are a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. Find helpful resources on the FCPS Opioid Awareness webpage.
- Pay attention to your child and discourage risky behaviors.
- Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding drinking and drug use. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they will say, “No thanks.”
Get more information on opioid awareness.
📍 Virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings
If you have not been able to attend a Community Boundary Review meeting yet, it’s not too late! The following virtual meetings will have the same format and information available as the previous in-person meetings:
- 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. 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.
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Quarter End/Lunar New Year/Teacher Workday
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.
