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![girl holding up a peeled orange](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/Meals-Free-or-reduced-August-2022-042215-1019.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=nRquhn8d)
FCPS Announced Policy for Providing Free or Reduced-Price Meals
Fairfax County Public Schools announced its policy for providing free or reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast programs.
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George Becerra Wins FCPS’ First Equity Award
George Becerra was recognized as the first recipient of Fairfax County Public Schools’ Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award.
![2023 McLean High School softball team.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/McLeansoftballstatechamps2023.jpg?h=71976bb4&itok=zoeepeGF)
Seven FCPS Teams, 16 Individuals Win VHSL Spring 2023 Sports Championships
This year, seven FCPS teams and16 individuals won the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 6 championship in their respective sports, and four teams and 15 individuals were the state runners-up. Madison Boys Lacrosse and Langley Girls Tennis were repeat champions.
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Dr. Reid Joins Bryan Hill's “Connect with County Leaders” Podcast
On the August episode of the “Connect with County Leaders” Podcast, Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill is joined by Dr. Michelle Reid, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools.
![Young kids play with Mr. Potato Head](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/072314-1683.jpg?h=58c8a5e7&itok=HyEbrhLh)
FCPS This Week - August 2, 2023
In this issue, find key back to school information including registration, signing up for ParentVUE, applying for free and reduced-price meals, and more!
![Welcome Back!](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/AdobeStock_486690219.jpg?h=8bc7efce&itok=vF9c8w6-)
Welcome Back from Human Resources and Communications
Welcome Back FCPS Staff! Hope you had a great summer. Now, more than ever, we know that two-way communication with our community — especially employees — is invaluable. We’ve been hard at work this summer strategizing how best to engage with one of our most valuable assets; You!
![Dr Reid with Marshall Island educators](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/WR%20hero%207.31.23.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=P9rBXEjb)
Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
Superintendent Reid writes about all of the great things happening in Fairfax County Public Schools. This past week, she helped kick off FCPS' 2023 Summer Equity Symposium, stopped by Marshall HS for a Credit Recovery Academy (CRA) special event and chemistry lesson, and visited summer programs at…
![image of a child's hand holding a number 5 block](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/i-gjN34Bg-XL_4.jpg?h=d28b8abe&itok=8ouvflnF)
5-4-3-2-1 Early Childhood Tips for Today: School Readiness
5 things to know or do, 4 links to visit, 3 points to access research, 2 children read aloud, 1 video to view!
![Superintendent Reid visiting students at Mount Vernon Woods ES](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/classroom-background-2023-07-25_8-37-19.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=Cjov6BJ7)
Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
Superintendent Reid writes about all of the great things happening in Fairfax County Public Schools. This past week, she visited summer school sites and attended a performance of “Footloose” by Westfield High School's Theater Department.
![Bryce and Jonny](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/Webpage%20Hero%20Image%20%281%29_0.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=fqv6apP_)
⚾ Signed to the Big Leagues: Two FCPS Students Selected in First Round of MLB Draft
In a landmark moment for Fairfax County Public Schools, two local prodigies were selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft.
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Model Policies Update From Superintendent
We will be thoroughly reviewing the new state model policies in the coming days. FCPS remains committed to an inclusive and affirming learning environment for each and every student and staff member including those who are transgender or gender expansive.
![FCPS Chantilly HS students pose in front of the Eiffel Tower for the 2023 VA Ambassadors of Music](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/Paris%202023%20Virginia%20Ambassadors%20of%20Music.png?h=9c86ceb9&itok=Ed8GY6Jt)
Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
Superintendent Reid writes about all of the great things happening in Fairfax County Public Schools. This past week, she appeared on the “Connect with County Leaders” podcast, met with local organizations at the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and shared awards that FCPS teams and students…
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Elaine Tholen Elected Fairfax County School Board Chair; Karl Frisch Elected Vice Chair
Elaine Tholen (Dranesville District Representative) was elected as chair and Karl Frisch (Providence District Representative) as vice chair for a one-year term.
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Fairfax County School Board Selects Cedar Lane School Student as Recipient of 2023 Character Award
Callahan Rogers, a 2023 graduate of Cedar Lane School, has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Fairfax County School Board Character Award.
![Marshall High School rising sophomore Andy Campos sits with his grandmother, whose life he recently saved using CPR skills acquired in an FCPS physical education class.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/MarshallCPRLifeSaver.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=Vc5jrEBA)
Marshall HS Student Saves Grandmother’s Life Using CPR Skills Learned in Health Education Class
Hands-on instruction in CPR and first aid is a graduation requirement in Fairfax County Public Schools.
![National Merit Scholarship winners graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/National%20Merit%20winners%20graphic_13_8.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=AnSjKK2C)
Eight FCPS Students Named College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship Winners
Eight Fairfax County Public Schools graduates from the class of 2023 have been named winners of college-sponsored scholarships by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
![Summer Learning Team Building Kick Off](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/Teacher-learning-hero-072302-1064.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=SI5IXKYO)
Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
Superintendent Reid writes about all of the great things happening in Fairfax County Public Schools. She reports on the success of FCPS' summer programs for students. Also, she attended the FCPS’ Summer Learning Team Building Kick Off event.
![fcps cares at navy elementary school](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/fcps-cares-summer-2023_0.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=rRtFFdNg)
FCPS CARES - July/August 2023
FCPS CARES submissions for the month of July 2023.
![School Board with Sofia Lelmini, recipient of the 2023 Laura Ashley Piper Scholarship](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/July5-School-Board-image2.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=Kk4yP8Ix)
Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
Superintendent Reid writes about all of the great things happening in Fairfax County Public Schools. This past week, she attended the School Board meeting, named several appointments to the leadership team, and offered congratulations to an FCPS employee who won an Emmy for a video about a high…
![Team FCPS at the 2023 Capital Area Emmy Awards Gala](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/Emmys%202023%20Hero%20Image.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=pP5ET1cI)
🥁 “And the Emmy Goes to…” - FCPS Bands Together to Win Award for Student’s Story
In a moment that embodied Fairfax County Public Schools' (FCPS) spirit of team collaboration, FCPS Video Producer Mark F. Jones proudly walked up to the stage at the recent Capital Area Emmy Awards Gala to receive his first Emmy.
![Mario Villanueva Ramos and his family pose with flags on the day he was made a citizen.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/story.jpg?h=9840de94&itok=2cAbnZCl)
Fourth of July Brings ‘Fulfillment of Joy’ to Graduate and Mentor of Annandale High School
With the support of his Annandale High School community, Mario Villanueva Ramos became a United States citizen last month. In 2007 he arrived in the area from El Salvador, and found the support and opportunities he was seeking for himself and his family. “Becoming a citizen is important to me…
![Vanessa Lock Gelinas works with a student](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/The%202023%20Jimmy%20Awards%202-25-30%20screenshot.png?h=c673cd1c&itok=ppFuWjMC)
Former Oakton Theater Teacher Wins Inspiring Teacher Award
The National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®), otherwise known as the Jimmy Awards®, feature the Inspiring Teacher Award, which this year was awarded to Vanessa Lock Gelinas, former theater director at Oakton High School.
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Fairfax County School Board Adopts Equity Policy
The Fairfax County School Board has unanimously voted to adopt an Equity Policy to assert and clarify the educational Equity beliefs held by Fairfax County Public Schools.
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Fairfax County School Board Adopts Updates to Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Document for School Year 2023-24
On Monday, June 26, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses.
![News Graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/hero_news-green-2_27.png?h=26e46eba&itok=WhzfY5vZ)
Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid Appoints Three Leaders to the FCPS Leadership Team
Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid has appointed three people to the FCPS Leadership team. Learn about their roles and experience in education.
![student ambassadors](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/hero-June-25-032305-2228.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=nOO8inwX)
Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
Superintendent Reid writes about all of the great things happening in Fairfax County Public Schools. This past week, she attended the Student Ambassador Convening, which supports military-connected youth and the School Superintendents Association meeting.
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FCPS This Week - June 21, 2023
In this special edition issue, read about our School Board Approved 2023-30 Strategic Plan and Summer Resources for families.
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Media Statement: June 20, 2023, FCPS Corrects Misleading Claims Made by Attorney General
Media statement
![Graduation Photo](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/graduation-HP-image4.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=rvFgYEDc)
Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
Superintendent Reid writes about all of the great things happening in Fairfax County Public Schools. This week she reflects on the many graduation ceremonies. She attend the Cappies Gala at the Kennedy Center and the FCPS Honors Ceremony (employee awards).
![Strategic Plan Graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/SP23-WebHero-1600x600.png?h=4f830e64&itok=Rt-cp2GD)
School Board Adopts Student-Centered Strategic Plan With Focus on Excellence, Equity, and Opportunity
The Fairfax County School Board unanimously voted to adopt Fairfax County Public Schools’ 2023-30 strategic plan at last night’s board meeting. FCPS’ new strategic plan will direct the school division’s work until the end of the decade.
![generic image for messages from superintendent](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/supt-message-2021-hero-image_4.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=MUEVGdEQ)
Superintendent Message Regarding Adoption of New Strategic Plan
The Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously to adopt FCPS’ 2023-30 strategic plan.
![Graduates in regalia celebrate.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/Congratulations%20to%20the%20Class%20of%202023%200-27%20screenshot.png?h=c673cd1c&itok=O3ylgqUn)
FCPS This Week - June 15, 2023
In this issue (the last regular issue for the year!) find information on SOL Scores, Teacher and Bus Driver Career Fairs, and Student Awards.
![Former Lynbrook Elementary teacher Wendy Casual and her one-time sixth grade students, now high school grads, hold up items they stored in a time capsule in 2018.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/TimeCapHero2.jpg?h=3e592264&itok=pIPhomAA)
“A Premise of Building Hope:” Lewis HS Grads Return to Open Sixth Grade Time Capsule
For eight years, Wendy Casual, a former sixth grade teacher, has returned to Lynbrook ES with newly-minted high school graduates who were once her students to open time capsules they created years ago.
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🎖️ South County Middle School Welcomes Honor Flight Veterans on 79th Anniversary of D-Day
On June 6, the 79th anniversary of D-Day, students from South County Middle School had the privilege of welcoming 95 Honor Flight veterans to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. They presented the veterans with personalized cards and blankets.
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Four FCPS Students Named U.S. Presidential Scholars
Four Fairfax County Public Schools students have been named as 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars by U. S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. They are part of a group of 161 students from around the country—and four of five Virginians—selected for the honor.
![2023 Cappies Gala](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/2023.jpg?h=5e6452ec&itok=_ks_E2Fe)
FCPS Students Honored for Excellence in High School Theater at Annual Cappies Gala
The Cappies of the National Capital area held its annual awards gala honoring excellence in high school theater on June 12 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
![Cooper Middle School Students with visitors from NASA](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/052339-1206.jpg?h=58c8a5e7&itok=xd68iOUA)
Cooper Percussion Students Reach for the Stars with NASA
As a percussion student, it isn’t every day that one of your musical performances is described as literally “out of this world.” But for Cooper Middle School students, one special song caught the attention of NASA’s Artemis I mission. Cooper Middle School percussion students performed the intro…
![Teacher and four students](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/052326-1299-heroweb_2.jpg?h=ea175020&itok=LQMNXg7X)
Teaching Is More Than Just a Profession
Learn more about how teaching is a lifelong passion for Jennys McKinney, Spanish teacher at Navy Elementary School.
![Kiss Me, Kate at Herndon High School](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/HE_Kiss%20Me%20Kate_b.jpg?h=e5bda297&itok=71SeG6n2)
Cappies Review of Kiss Me, Kate at Herndon High School
Herndon High School's production of Kiss Me, Kate, is reviewed by Nhi Nguyen of Annandale High School.
![ariel](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/Webpage%20Hero%20Image_0.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=eFSfidfM)
🏆 Hayfield Secondary Teacher Named Mount Vernon History Teacher of the Year
Ariel Alford, a history teacher from Hayfield Secondary School, has been awarded George Washington’s Mount Vernon 2023 History Teacher of the Year.
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FCPS Defends Confidentiality of Privileged Attorney Report and Records in Response to the Virginia AG’s Unjustified Demands for Disclosure
June 20, 2023 Update: FCPS legal counsel sends another letter to Virginia's Attorney General about protecting confidential interviews with staff and parents.
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FCPS Defends Staff Safety and Privacy in Response to the Virginia Attorney General’s Demands
FCPS explains protecting confidential interviews with staff and parents being subpoenaed by the Virginia Attorney General.
![Bryant High School senior Anyeli Salguero walks the graduation stage with her 20-month old daughter and high school diploma in hand.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/ProjOppAnyeliGiGi.jpg?h=34795f0b&itok=CH5IMsF2)
Teen Mom Is First in Family to Graduate: Bryant Senior Delivers Speech, Hope to Others Facing Challenges
A Fairfax County Public Schools program known as Project Opportunity helps keep expectant and new parents on track to getting their high school diploma.
![Graduation Photo](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/062310-2676-HP.jpg?h=bcb69117&itok=hZsQceZH)
Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
Superintendent Reid writes about all of the great things happening in Fairfax County Public Schools.
![group of people standing together holding a ribbon](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/052334-1211-heroweb.jpg?h=e2bcc475&itok=23WEbcoB)
Partnership Update - June 2023
Check out the latest news within Business and Community Partnerships
![A student hugs Shawn DeRose.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/062307-1428.jpg?h=58c8a5e7&itok=RqSNq9qQ)
FCPS This Week - June 7, 2023
In this issue, read about Summer Resources, Student Awards, and the PSAT going Digital.
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FCPS Students Are “Silent No More”
On Thursday, June 1, the junior class at McLean High School took part in an assembly about drug prevention and awareness called “Silent No More.”
Guest speakers included health experts, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent, a federal prosecutor, and those who have been personally touched…
![Jewad Abdulhadi speaks at a graduation](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/062307-1059.jpg?h=2a704e2e&itok=2mp4xkiz)
Employees Share Graduation Memories
As we work our way through graduation season, FCPS employees share highlights from their own graduation days.
![National Merit Scholarship winners graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/National%20Merit%20winners%20graphic_13_7.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=BfPW-Y3P)
Twenty-three FCPS Students Named 2023 National Merit College-Sponsored Scholarship Winners
Twenty-three Fairfax County Public Schools students from ten high schools have been named winners of 2023 Merit Scholarship awards by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
![Keytrell Slack helps a student.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/052332-1166.jpg?h=58c8a5e7&itok=pN5ZG87f)
Four FCPS Teachers Named Cox Education Heroes
Four teachers were surprised during Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week with $1,000 grants from Cox Communications to spend on their classroom.