FCPS This Week - January 9, 2025
Students enjoy the first snow of the year at Wakefield Forest Elementary School.
🏆 693 FCPS Students Named National Merit Commended Scholars
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named 693 FCPS students National Merit Commended Scholars. This represents a 10% increase in Commended Scholars for FCPS compared to 2023. View the full list of scholars.
Gradebook Available Until End of Quarter
Based on community feedback from the first quarter, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE.
Moving forward, Gradebook closure will align with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the end of the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, at 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, at 6 a.m.
Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVUE
Learn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.
Course Selection and Curriculum Nights for Middle and High School Students
Rising 7th-12th grade students are meeting with their counselors soon to discuss course selection for the next school year. Check your middle or high school’s website for information on upcoming curriculum nights. At these events, families can learn more about course offerings and programs.
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 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 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.
🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses
FCPS high school academies are holding open houses for interested students. Open houses are a great opportunity to visit classrooms, labs, instructors, and academy counselors.
An academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Academy elective courses provide students with various 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.
🍱 Snow Days Don’t Stop School Meals
School meals are an important part of many students' daily nutrition. FCPS Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) staff have been working this week to make sure that snow days don't have to mean missed meals.
Throughout the school division, food kits containing meals and snacks have been available for students to pick up. On Tuesday and Wednesday, more than 3,000 meals and 1,000 snacks were provided to students. Read more about this effort.
⛄ Winter Resources for Families
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
🎉 Celebrating the Best of 2024 in FCPS
Take a look at some of the highlights of 2024 from around the school division!
📍 Virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings
If you did not have a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting as part of the first phase of our comprehensive boundary review process, please join one of our virtual meetings:
- Friday, January 10, 6-7:30 p.m. (registration is full)
- 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 on a date to register.
To ensure a meaningful experience for participants, each virtual meeting will be limited to 400 participants, and each participant will receive their own unique Zoom link. Language interpretation will be available.
Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn about the boundary review process. Sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter as well.
🥽 Making a Splash: Two FCPS Students Compete in World Diving Championships in Brazil
Woodson High School senior Nathaniel Grannis and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) senior Rem Turatbekov took their talents to the international stage! Nathaniel and Rem recently returned from the Junior World Diving Championships in Rio de Janeiro, where Nathaniel represented the U.S. and Rem dove for his birth country, Kyrgyzstan.
Find out how the students performed abroad.
📵 Cell Phones Off, Learning On
Thank you for helping to support the FCPS cell phone policy by waiting until the school day is over to call or text your child about non-urgent matters. In case of an emergency, you should contact the school’s front office to reach your child during class time.
Visit the FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage to read more about usage policies by grade level and to share your feedback on the current cell phone policy.
📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
FCPS is partnering 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.
Updates From December 19 School Board Meeting
✅ Completion of Algebra 1 by Eighth Grade
In the Academic Matters section of the December 19 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid discussed Algebra 1 — specifically 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence and its measure of successful completion of Algebra 1 by eighth grade.
Completing Algebra 1 by eighth grade is important because it lays a strong foundation for advanced math and STEM subjects in high school and beyond. Early mastery of algebra helps students develop critical problem-solving skills and logical thinking.
The percentage of eighth grade students enrolled in Algebra 1 or higher has increased from 56% in 2021-22 to 70% this school year at 18 schools in FCPS. Read Weekly Reflections to learn more about how FCPS is working toward this goal.
✨ Strategic Plan Update on Goal 2: Safe Supported, Included, and Empowered
Dr. Reid also presented an update on the 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered. Goal 2 states that every student will experience an equitable school community where student health and well-being are prioritized, and student voice is centered. Dr. Reid addressed chronic absenteeism, discipline disproportionality, and student academic inclusion as well.
Read Weekly Reflections to see how FCPS is overcoming challenges in these areas. View the full Goal 2 report.
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Holiday)/Inauguration
Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday and Inauguration.
See the complete school year calendar.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Opportunity
FCPS is collaborating with Volunteer Fairfax for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Students and families can volunteer on Saturday, January 25, at Give Together at the James Lee Community Center.
Volunteer Fairfax invites families to participate in thoughtful, engaging service projects working alongside local nonprofit and government agency partners across a variety of mission areas. Projects will include food packing, creating care packages, environmental stewardship, and support for animal welfare. This event is free and open to the public but registration is required.
There will also be Financial Literacy Workshops offered at Give Together for students in grades 3-12. If you would like to attend one of the workshops, sign up during check-in on January 25.
School Board Meeting Thursday, January 9, at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting today, Thursday, January 9, at 7 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:
- Ratification of Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreements Between Fairfax County Public Schools and the Fairfax Education Unions (FEU) for the Licensed Instructional and Operational Bargaining Units
- Awarding of Contracts
View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
Public Hearing on Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Capital Improvement Program
The Fairfax County School Board will hear comments on the FY 2026 proposed Capital Improvement Program at a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 14.
☎️ See Something, Say Something: Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline
FCPS provides a way for employees and the general public to report any suspected wrongdoing related to FCPS’ assets and resources. Reporting will help ensure taxpayers’ money is spent appropriately — on our students’ education. It can also help improve employees’ work environment.
Reports can be made in person, by phone, by email, or online. All reports are taken seriously, and every effort will be made to investigate reports according to the applicable laws, codes, policies, or regulations. Community members can assist with investigations by providing as much information as possible. Please visit the Office of Auditor General webpage to learn more.
