FCPS This Week - September 25, 2024
A smiling kindergarten student uses flexible seating at Lemon Road Elementary School.
🏆 Spring Hill Elementary School Named 2024 National Blue Ribbon School
Congratulations to Spring Hill Elementary School for being named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education! Spring Hill is among eight schools in Virginia and 356 schools in the country receiving the honor this year. Amy Briggs (pictured above) is Spring Hill’s very proud principal.
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes high-performing schools and schools making exemplary progress toward closing achievement gaps. Read more about Spring Hill and this award.
FCPS Strives to Become Purple Star School Division to Further Support Military Families
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, who is from a military family, has established a goal for FCPS to become a Purple Star Division — with 100% of our schools earning their Purple Star Designation — by the 2026-27 school year. Virginia’s Purple Star Designation recognizes schools for excelling in their support of military-connected students.
The division currently has 69 Purple Star schools and expects approximately 33 schools to earn or renew their Purple Star status this year. Read more about our Purple Star Division plan.
🎖️ Thank You, Military Families!
This week is Blue Star Welcome Week, an opportunity to empower military families to thrive as they serve. There are approximately 13,500 military-connected students enrolled in FCPS. Each year, one-third of our military families transition into or out of our district.
đź“ť Sign and Return Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Document
The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses.
Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Monday, September 30.
đź“Ť Boundary Review Updates
The Fairfax County School Board recently awarded a contract to Thru Consulting to manage a comprehensive school boundary review for Fairfax County Public Schools. The consultant will perform this work during a 16-month period ending in January 2026. In July, the School Board approved updates to Policy 8130, which provides the framework as we consider any potential future boundary adjustments.
One of the first steps in this effort is for the superintendent to establish a Boundary Review Advisory Committee that includes parents/caregivers, school-based administrators, teachers, operational staff, and community members. It’s also important to know that any potential boundary changes will include robust community engagement, as required by the policy and the Code of Virginia.
Please stay tuned for more information.
Upcoming Immunization Clinics
Does your child need school-required immunizations? If so, please check out the options below.
Free Immunizations for All FCPS Students
Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on:
- Tuesday, October 8, 3-7 p.m.
- Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
Elementary School Clinics
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.
Middle and High Schools Clinics
FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.
Clinics are being scheduled beginning Tuesday, October 1. Visit the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.
🎓 Prepare for Your Student’s Future at College Fair and Postsecondary Nights
The annual FCPS College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 20, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Approximately 220 colleges and universities will be represented, including two- and four-year schools and U.S. Service Academies.
Following the fair, a two-night postsecondary virtual event will be held on Monday, October 21, and Tuesday, October 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. Both events will help students prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey. Learn more about the College Fair and postsecondary virtual event.
🗓️ Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events
Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.
When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is one day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence to their school. Most schools have an attendance link near the bottom of their homepage. If you are unsure how to report an absence, please call your school’s front office.
Watch this video with tips on understanding FCPS’ school calendar and visit our Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
🖥️ Free Webinars for Families
In October, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:
- Supporting siblings of children with disabilities.
- Helping students organize their schoolwork.
- Benchmark Advance, the new K-6 language arts curriculum.
- Ways to engage with your children in mathematics.
- Transitions from school to work and adult life for students with disabilities.
Sign up for the FRC newsletter to learn about their latest offerings or visit their webinar webpage.
đź“š Review of Social Studies Teaching Resources
FCPS is adopting new teaching resources for social studies for the 2025-26 school year. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration, which is part of the process for selecting new resources, will take place in October. Visit the community review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person.
All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials at a regular board meeting in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources following the process outlined in Regulation 3004.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 4: Equitable Access to Opportunities
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
The fourth goal ensures all students have the same access to opportunities, no matter what school they attend. This includes academics and other programs that inspire and engage students and allow them to explore their passions and talents.
Watch this video to learn how one student is benefitting from cutting-edge assistive technology. See how Goal 4 is being put into practice.
🚍 Student Bus Passes Offer Free Transportation
All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the pass, fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year. Learn more about the Student Pass. Complete the application and return it to your school office.
Additionally, students at Justice, Annandale, Falls Church, and Marshall high schools, and Davis Center can ride Metrobus for free. Visit the Fairfax County website for details and approved Metrobus routes. Complete the application and return it to your school office.
Children 12 and younger ride for free on the Fairfax Connector with a paying adult.
Bus Discount Program for Adults
Fairfax Connector’s Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) provides 50% off fares for low-income residents ages 18-65. Learn more about the TRIP program and how to apply.
🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Dr. Reid is hosting a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:
- Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School.
- Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary School.
- Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
- Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School.
Events will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
🌎 Multilingual Teacher Shares Her Passion for Learning
Indiana Obando, a multilingual teacher at Bailey’s Elementary School, was inspired by her background as an immigrant to become a teacher and establish a nurturing environment for others. This year she has been chosen to participate in the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program.
Hispanic Heritage Month
It was not until she lived in the United States that Indiana was referred to as “Hispanic.” But now, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, she hopes that people will learn to recognize the history and contributions of Hispanic cultures along with the struggles these groups have faced. Read more about Indiana and her background.
đź“° Hispanic Heritage and Back-to-School Nights With Dr. Reid in Weekly Reflections
In the latest issue of Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid shares her thoughts on a week full of events ranging from back-to-school nights to community and leadership meetings, and celebrating Hispanic Heritage at Falls Church High School (pictured above). Read more in Weekly Reflections. Subscribe now.
Gun Safety and Safe Gun Storage
Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.
In FCPS, lessons on gun safety are built into our curriculum. It is critical that parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in their homes, and in any home they may visit.
Our website has gun safety resources as well as detailed information about FCPS safety and security practices in our buildings. See Dr. Reid’s recent letter to the community for more resources.
Safely Store Firearms and Medications
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks that fit a wide variety of firearms. Visit the Lock and Talk website to learn more.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders: Rosh Hashanah/Teacher Workday
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2. That day is an evening-only observance day and important events will not be held after school.
Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed for Rosh Hashanah.
Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students.
See the complete school year calendar.
School Board Meeting Thursday, September 26, at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, September 26, at 7 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:
- Opening of Schools Report
- Dunn Loring Elementary School — Authorization to Negotiate and Execute Proffer Statement
- Awarding of Contracts
View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
