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![Eight grade boy holding spelling bee trophies](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/102224-1018-heroweb.jpg?h=e2bcc475&itok=6UPsj_d2)
Kilmer Middle School Student Organizes First Ever Nationwide Spelling Bee for Mongolian Immigrants
Kilmer Middle School eighth-grader Erdem Dulguun uses his spelling skills to help his Mongolian community. On Saturday, he will host his very own Spelling Bee.
![Students work on a laser catapult kit at the grant award ceremony held at Herndon Middle School.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/GoogleGrant-HerndonMS.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=fit5nNPV)
Herndon Middle to Gain After-School Robotics Club Via Google Grant, FIRST Robotics
U.S. Congressman Gerry Connolly, Fairfax County School Board Member Elaine Tholen, and Google employees visited Herndon Middle School this week to announce funding to create extracurricular robotics clubs at many middle schools across Virginia.
![Generic news graphic - green](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/hero_news-green-5_16.png?h=26e46eba&itok=46wg5YRo)
Cooper Middle School Band Selected to Play in International Band and Orchestra Conference
The Cooper Middle School Band has been invited to perform at The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, December 21-22, and is the only band from Virginia invited to perform.
![Press release with awards.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/hero_awards-green_2_6.png?h=6f64ded6&itok=zRu6snlk)
Seventy-Four Students Named to 2022 All-Virginia Middle School Honor Choir
Seventy-four students from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) middle schools have been named to the 2022 All-Virginia Middle School Honor Choir.
![Students learn hands only CPR](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/022318-1054-heroweb-16x6.jpg?h=360e24fa&itok=MMh-c6kQ)
Lifesaving Lessons Learned at Longfellow Middle School
Last week, Longfellow Middle School took part in an all-day CPR training event organized by Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation. The foundation was created in 2015 by Joel and Jennifer Griffin in honor of Gwyneth, their oldest daughter. Gwyneth collapsed unexpectedly during her middle school field day in 2012…
![Symbols denoting news](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%2811%29.png?h=26e46eba&itok=8W911e99)
Two FCPS Middle School Teachers Head Abroad on Fulbright Awards
Shannon Evans, French teacher at Thoreau Middle School, and Sulekha Subhash, emotional disabilities teacher at Luther Jackson Middle School, received Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program awards.
![school news, basketball, books, chorus, math, VR](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/SchoolNewsgenericdefaultblue1_225.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=czCjA07e)
Rocky Run Middle Team 1 Wins Virginia Regional MS Science Bowl
In the 2021 Virginia Regional Middle School Science Bowl competition, Team 1 from Rocky Run Middle finished in first place in a field of 14 teams.
![Students at Luther Jackson Middle School meet to train for cross country.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/Submitted-AfterSchoolSports1-heroweb-16x6.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=E9XVJ-kC)
On Your Marks: Middle School Athletics Is Off to a Flying Start at Schools Across the County
Middle school athletics began for the first time this week giving students across Fairfax County the opportunity to join extracurricular, cross-country teams.
![School news graphic with three students](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/SchoolNewsgenericdefaultblue2_179_2.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=brX-McZk)
Cooper Middle School Band Named Winner of 2021 Sudler Cup by John Philip Sousa Foundation
The Cooper Middle School Band program has been selected by the John Philip Sousa Foundation to receive the 2021 Sudler Cup. This international award recognizes junior high and middle school concert bands for outstanding musical excellence.
![school news, basketball, books, chorus, math, VR](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/SchoolNewsgenericdefaultblue1_225.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=czCjA07e)
Whitman Middle School Science Teacher Selected as Outstanding Woman Educator
The Beta Delta chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) has selected Jessica Fish, a 7th grade Science teacher at Whitman Middle School, as an Outstanding Woman Educator of 2020-2021.
![Students grow spinach and lettuce in towers.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/012324-2053.jpg?h=cf068cc2&itok=7Wiapb7_)
Out of This World Idea with a Local Impact: Middle School Students Use Vertical Farming System to Feed Families
Engineering students are using a futuristic farming method to grow food for the Luther Jackson Middle School food pantry.
![Children playing on the field during recess](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/112213-2636-heroweb.jpg?h=e2bcc475&itok=meorJNup)
Transformational! Play Pays Off as Impact of Middle School Recess is Felt Across Fairfax County
Back in April, the Fairfax County School Board voted to formalize a successful pilot program that mandated daily middle school recess. It was rolled out across the county at the beginning of this school year, and it has been a huge hit.
![Rocky Run Middle School math teacher Laura Roberston used magnetic fraction tiles to teach students how to find the common denominator when adding fractions.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/ESSER-Hero-RockyRUnMS.jpg?h=e2bcc475&itok=H4A4sfwe)
Board Games, Backpacks and Boosting Academics: Rocky Run Middle School Taps Pandemic Funds to Assist All Students
See how one middle school is spending its share of the $188.8 million in federal relief funding that FCPS received to address the impacts of COVID-19 on students.
![students with veteran](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%2856%29.png?h=cf7d3ced&itok=Fi4hCaqO)
🎖️ 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.
Middle School Band Director Inspires Students to “Feel the Magic”
When Tiffany Hitz was in high school, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to be a music or math teacher. In the end, a practical decision helped her decide. “As it turns out, there are not a lot of math education scholarships and there are a lot of music scholarships … especially if you play the French…
![Julia Kim](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/092310-1057.jpg?h=ffd9219f&itok=lyMbYOp2)
🎖️ Blue Star Welcome Week at Frost Middle School
Moving to a new city can be a challenge for anyone, but it is a way of life for military families. There are approximately 14,500 military-connected students enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools, and the school division has developed numerous resources to welcome them and help them adapt to…
![Carson Middle School seventh grader Ankita Balaji sits at a table in her school library, chin resting on her hand. On the table in front of her are a stack of dictionaries and her Fairfax County Spelling Bee trophy.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/Image20240520093632.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=MixhAggZ)
Spelling Is in Her G-E-N-E-S: Carson Middle School Student Follows in Sister’s Footsteps Competing in Scripps National Spelling Bee
Ankita Balaji will be the only FCPS student competing in the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
![FCPS '24 GBSI participants](https://cdn.bfldr.com/HZPAR69W/at/g4fhcgfx48hrn6q7h4q6hmnn/WR_81324_GBSI.jpg?drupal-image-style=card_1x&width=800&height=450&precrop=1600%2C900%2Cx0%2Cy8%2Csafe&auto=webp&h=2bb116cf&itok=jIR0oTcC)
Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
Superintendent Reid writes about all of the great things happening in Fairfax County Public Schools. This past week, she attended FCPS' kickoff for new teachers, visited Poe Middle School, and more!
![Graphic of Falls Church HS authors and their books](https://cdn.bfldr.com/HZPAR69W/at/9ffzvmk5kbrt7tv8mcbvbkq/WR_71524_FCHS_Alumni_Authors.jpg?drupal-image-style=card_1x&width=800&height=450&precrop=636%2C358%2Cx0%2Cy63%2Csafe&auto=webp&h=cf9ac106&itok=yqUyNDC-)
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 attended the 70th anniversary celebration for Luther Jackson Middle School and more!
![school building for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/Thomas-Jefferson-0923101-1220.jpg?h=72e0a577&itok=I0NuREjd)
Offers Extended to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Class of 2028
Offers for admission to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology went to 550 students, including students from each of FCPS’ middle schools.
![students on swings](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/unnamed%20%2821%29.jpg?h=ada05aa9&itok=D8A6Sejy)
FCPS This Week - April 18, 2024
In this issue, learn about spring assessments, the Family Summit, and community forums on middle school start times.
![Cooper Middle School Students aid Syria and Turkey](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/022314-1162.jpg?h=04d3517f&itok=NpJhxdaG)
Cooper Middle School Students Demonstrate Empathy, Compassion, Respect
Students at a number of FCPS schools are using their ethical and global citizen Portrait of a Graduate skills to aid those who were affected by a recent devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
![Students raise their hands while a man in uniform answers questions standing by a helicopter](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/022428-1181-heroweb.jpg?h=e2bcc475&itok=KDD9O4CR)
FCPS This Week - February 28, 2024
In this issue, read about Student Achievements, Middle School Sports, and Where FCPS Funding Comes From.
![Fourth grade students at Union Mill Elementary School work on leprechaun traps. The project combined science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) and Portrait of a Graduate attributes of creativity and collaboration.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/032410-2135.jpg?h=e60aeb09&itok=21sH_sCP)
FCPS This Week - March 20, 2024
In this issue, read about student award winners, updated COVID recommendations, and community forums on middle school start times.
![A team of four seventh-grade girls at Franklin Middle School display their award-winning meal to be served on school lunch menus in the coming year.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/FranklinNoNamesHero.jpg?h=4245ff63&itok=crZIVXRu)
The Vegejita Wrapadilla: Franklin Middle School Team Creates Winning FCPS School Lunch Offering
Meal designed by seventh-graders to appear on FCPS school lunch menus in the 2022-2023 school year.
![Message from the Superintendent](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/supt-message-2021-hero-image_16_0_0.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=vUbfprH6)
FCPS Remains Committed to Maintaining Safe and Secure Schools
Superintendent Reid shares a message regarding the deadly events in the Middle East.
![A student hugs a llama](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/042320-1338-heroweb.jpg?h=e2bcc475&itok=GaA_D91O)
FCPS This Week - May 10, 2023
In this issue, learn more about Middle School Sports, SR&R Updates, and Student Awards.
![image showing text in English, Spanish, Arabic and Korean - In a Few Words](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/fcps%20multilingual%20family%20podcasts_hero%20%28002%29_0.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=YRZfex3c)
Multilingual Family Podcast: Arabic, English, Korean, Spanish
In two separate podcasts, hear about how parents can be supportive as their students transition from elementary to middle school or from middle to high school. Listen in English, Español (Spanish), العربية(Arabic), or 한국어(Korean).
![students posing](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%28223%29.png?h=c78e314c&itok=_dViOxaI)
FCPS This Week - September 27, 2023
In this issue, learn about more upcoming community conversations, how one middle school is celebrating Blue Star Welcome Week, and tips on consistent attendance.
![students hold their awards](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/Webpage%20Hero%20Image%20%282%29_1.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=hBgygZJ2)
🎌 Virtual Victory at the Junior Japan Bowl
FCPS recently hosted the 8th National Junior Japan Bowl, a quiz-bowl-style Japanese language and culture competition. The virtual event showcased spirited participation from 517 elementary and middle school students representing 26 schools and 10 states.
![Pamphlet titled "Are You Feeling Lonely?"](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/012406-2002-1600x600-5ab0449.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=oWL6BXi6)
2024 School Counselor of the Year Offers Mental Health Tips
Valerie Peters, middle school counselor at Robinson Secondary School, was chosen by the Virginia School Counselor Association as the 2024 Secondary School Counselor of the Year. Read about what inspired her to enter school counseling, and get some tips for Mental Health Month.
![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…
![Whitman Middle School Eighth-Grader Diego Orendain hashes out plans for the day with other Virginia Senate pages in Richmond.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/Diego-Hero.jpg?h=62f136ca&itok=RdGfpAnT)
Whitman Eighth-Grader Finds Own Voice as Virginia Senate Page in Richmond
Diego Orendain, an eighth-grader at Whitman Middle School in Alexandria, served as his school’s first-ever Virginia Senate page during the recent state legislative session, according to Principal Craig Herring.
![school news, basketball, chorus, books, VR](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/SchoolNewsgenericdefaultblue1_227.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=ohHdD88S)
Glasgow MS LGBTQ Club Advocates for, Supports Students
Formed in 2019, Glasgow Middle’s LGBTQ Club can count numerous positive achievements to its credit.
![Students test their paper towers.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/122204-1076.jpg?h=373e53c4&itok=oJ8jhr7w)
Building Future Engineers: Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Christopher Grady Visits Walt Whitman Middle School for STEM Challenge
Pentagon officials watched as engineering students tested the strength of paper structures.
![Dr. Reid with employees](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/Reflections-hero.jpg?h=26e46eba&itok=5HUbj3AJ)
Superintendent's Weekly Reflections
Superintendent Reid writes about all of the great things happening in Fairfax County Public Schools. This week she attended association leadership meetings for the Middle School Principals Association and High School Principals Association. She also hosted two Employee Conversations.
![school news, basketball, chorus, math, books, VR](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/SchoolNewsgenericdefaultblue1_217.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=B9yt6Ivq)
Lanier Band Students Promote Social Distancing Through Music
As part of the preparation to return to school, Lanier Middle band teacher Charlie Burts challenged his students to be part of a YouTube video.
![school news, basketball, books, chorus, math, VR](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/SchoolNewsgenericdefaultblue1_222.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=v4W8aTI8)
Thoreau MS Seventh Grade Teacher Enlists Guest Speakers to Keep Students Motivated
English teacher Michelle Gabro keeps her Thoreau Middle seventh grade students motivated and engaged with a series of guest speakers.
![School board seal](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/032218-1030-heroweb-16x6.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=QYKnd7c9)
FCPS School Board Members Sworn In
Recently elected members of the Fairfax County School Board took the oath of office on Wednesday, December 13, at Jackson Middle School. The 12 members of the Board, who were elected for a four-year term on November 7, begin their terms on January 1, 2024.
![school news, basketball, chorus, books, math, VR](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/SchoolNewsgenericdefaultblue1_210.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=4i9a6mg9)
Whitman Student in the Spotlight by Drone Forward, Inc.
Whitman Middle student James McCain has been selected as the Spotlight Student by Drone Forward, Inc., for his drive and enthusiasm for learning.
![generic image](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/supt-message-2021-hero-image_10.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=H8aB80MD)
Glasgow Update From the Superintendent
As promised, I am following up with you on the situation regarding the independent investigation that has now been completed into the circumstances regarding a counselor who was employed at Glasgow Middle School.
![A student helps a younger student practice playing a keyboard](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/122207-2044-heroweb.jpg?h=bfbc6e7b&itok=PK8sAKIW)
Student Mentors Share Their Love of Music
On Tuesdays after school, a group of middle and high school students volunteer their time and share their passion for classical music while mentoring elementary students at Dogwood Elementary School.
![four students handle a bearded dragon](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/042304-1059-heroweb-16x6.jpg?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=doNE_HFT)
Bearded Dragon Helps Everyone Feel Welcome at Katherine Johnson Library
This week is National Library Week. In FCPS libraries, students develop knowledge and skills, experience a sense of belonging, find inspiration and support, and have the ability to freely pursue their personal interests and academic growth. Read how Katherine Johnson Middle School welcomes the…
![Aubrey Hopkins Midgley](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/Our%20Heroes_%20Aubrey%20Midgley%200-30%20screenshot.png?h=59906a9c&itok=EKZF0uoV)
Thank You, School Administrative Professionals!
How would our schools run without our administrative professionals? Find out why Aubrey Hopkins Midgley at Cooper Middle School is referred to as the "backbone" of the school.
![Dr. Michelle Reid and FCPS staff members](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/042210-2016-2-heroweb.jpg?h=f11350ed&itok=i97-UgvB)
FCPS This Week e-newsletter - April 20, 2022
In this week's issue, get to know incoming superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, and learn about middle school recess starting in 2022-23, student awards, and an Instructional Job Fair on April 30.
![generic budget image](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/hero_budget-blue_1.png?h=6f64ded6&itok=TcKdPfrM)
Building Our Future: Fairfax County School Board Approves Proposed 2023 School Bond Referendum
The funding provided by voter-approved bonds will provide construction funds for seven elementary schools, planning and design funds for eight elementary school renovations and one middle school renovation, and more.
![Rachel Grover](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/112323-1086.jpg?h=cd8fd912&itok=hrGLo61T)
Librarian of the Year Helps Students Find Their “Authentic Self”
Rachel Grover was named Librarian of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL) in November. Read more about what inspired her to become a librarian. Three other FCPS librarians were also honored: Katie Bruechert, Thoreau Middle; Heather Baucum, Crossfield Elementary; and…
![Officer Brian Sehrer](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/022403-1043.jpg?h=bde8c640&itok=SNN8EnVI)
Building Relationships and Increasing Safety Every Day: Thank You School Resource Officers
February 15 is School Resource Officer (SRO) Appreciation Day. The SROs who work in Fairfax County public schools are sworn police officers with the Fairfax County Police Department. Thank you, Officer Brian Sehrer at Frost Middle School, and all our SROs, for the work you do in our schools every…
![school news, football, drama, science, math, robotics](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/SchoolNewsgenericdefaultblue2_165.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=wkpw7Yy1)
FCPS Choral Concert Collaboration Set for January 27
Choral teachers have put together a virtual choral concert and presentation involving 350 middle and high school students from 37 secondary schools that will air on Wednesday, January 27.
![school news, football, music, drama, science, robotics](/sites/default/files/styles/card_1x/public/media/hero/SchoolNewsgenericdefaultblue2_187.png?h=e0d9a4bb&itok=F3tPQdLw)
Lanier MS Eighth Graders Learn about U.S. Constitution from Rotarians
Lanier Middle civics teacher Ryan Sterzinger hosted a virtual meeting between grade eight students and members of the Fairfax Rotary Club to discuss the United States Constitution and civics education.