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First Day of School With Dr. Reid
Dr. Reid stopped by Herndon on August 21st to kick-off the 2023-24 school year.
September 01-04: Labor Day Break
September 06: Back to School Night
September 12: Senior Student/Parent Night, 6:30 pm, Auditorium
September 13: Senior Meetings, 4th Pd, Various Locations
September 16: Rosh Hashanah (begins sundown 9/15 - sundown 9/17)
September 21: HHS PTSA Meeting, 7:00 pm, Virtual
September 25: Yom Kippur (begins sundown 9/24 - sundown 9/25)
FCPS Calendar | HHS Red and Black Calendar
Herndon Athletics
Monday, August 28, 2023
6:30pm - Volleyball: Girls Varsity Match vs. Robinson @ Robinson HS
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
TBD - Field Hockey: Varsity Game vs. John R. Lewis HS @ Herndon HSl
3:30pm - Golf: Varsity Match vs. Marshall @ Westwood Country Club
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
9:00am - Cross Country: Varsity Tri vs. TBA @ Nottoway Park
5:00pm - Volleyball: Girls Freshman Match vs. Langley @ Herndon HS
5:30pm - Football: Freshman Scrimmage vs. Langley @ Herndon HS
6:00pm - Volleyball: Girls JV Match vs. Langley @ Herndon HS
7:00pm - Football: JV Scrimmage vs. Langley @ Herndon HS
7:15pm - Volleyball: Girls Varsity Match vs. Langley @ Herndon HS
Thursday, August 31, 2023
7:00pm - Football: Varsity Game vs. Langley @ Langley HS
Friday, September 1, 2023
TBD - Cross Country: Girls Varsity Scrimmage vs. Bishop O' Connell
TBD - Cross Country: Boys Varsity Scrimmage vs. Briar Woods
From the Library
The Herndon HS Summer Reading Challenge, created by the library and the Global Citizens Book Club, is in session through August 31! Students can join the GCBC Schoology Group at F4BT-W6TC-5G8JD for details. Prizes will be given to students who complete a row of 5, OR who complete the entire bingo board. Students can claim their prizes by showing the library team their online bingo form.
The library is a busy place! We welcome students before school, after school, and during the school day with a pass. Students looking for a lunch option other than the cafeteria can often get a pass to spend their lunch block in the library. We provide instruction to students in all disciplines, help students come up with creative ways to share information they’ve learned, and help students find their next favorite book! More details about Herndon High School’s library can be found on your student’s Library course in Schoology. If we can answer any questions for you, please contact us at hhs_library@fcps.edu.
Labor Day
Friday, September 1, and Monday, September 4, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 6:30 - 8:50 p.m.
All parents are invited to attend Back to School Night (BTSN) on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 from 6:30 – 8:50 pm. Students will bring home a copy of their schedule for parents to follow during BTSN. They will receive their schedules during TA on September 5th. If you do not receive your student’s schedule, please see one of the counselors near the main office on the evening of Wednesday, September 6, for a printed copy. All parents should be in their student’s first-period class at 6:30 pm. Students are welcome to attend BTSN as interpreters for their parents, if necessary.
We also encourage parents to attend our pre-BTSN activities in the cafeteria from 5:30 – 6:20 pm. During that time, parents will have the opportunity to sign up for an SIS Parent Account and Schoology, pre-order a yearbook, get information from various student clubs and organizations, buy Herndon spirit gear, buy water and/or light snacks, support their child’s class through various fundraisers, and more. At 5:30 pm, we will have a session for Spanish-speaking families about the ESOL program in the lecture hall and an information session about Family Life Education and opt-out in the auditorium.
We look forward to seeing you at Herndon High School on September 6!
HHS Needs You!
The PTSA puts on programs and events, invests in our teachers and staff, and enhances each family's experience at HHS. We can only do this with your financial support!
The PTSA is run through your donations - 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to HHS PTSA, supporting our school’s needs, and ultimately our student’s.
Please donate here!
HHS PTSA Meeting
Join us for the first PTSA meeting of the school year on September 21st at 7:00 pm. Join the Zoom meeting here: https://zoom.us/j/96047784161
2023 Student Rights and Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29.
Parental Permission to Use Digital Resources
Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Parent Consent webpage. This page also includes directions for providing permission.
Each digital resource used in FCPS has had an instructional and technical review. Information about the educational technology tools approved for use within FCPS can be found in the online Digital Ecosystem Library.
Parents can find more information about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.
Update Contact Information to Receive Messages From FCPS
Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from FCPS and our school by providing your cell phone number and email in SIS ParentVUE. Make sure you complete the Emergency Care Form for your child every year and update when necessary.
To update your contact information in ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then select the “Online Verification/Update” form in the drop down menu. Click “Begin Packet.”
Parents who do not have a SIS ParentVUE account continue to have the option to communicate updates via the normal paper process. They can also print and complete a blank Emergency Care Information Form needed for updates and submit it to the front office.
Required Back to School Forms
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Emergency Care Form - Review and update via SIS ParentVUE. Information must be correct and what we will use in case of an emergency. We are asking all parents to review and update via SIS ParentVUE. If you have more than one child enrolled in FCPS, updating it for one student will update it for all of your students. Having the most up-to-date information for all of our students is essential to our ability to best meet all students' needs in the event of an emergency. Information on how to update through ParentVUE can be found on the FCPS Website; please note that it must be the enrolling parent who completes the documentation.
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Health Information - A health information form must be on file for all students. By updating “Current Health Conditions” and/or “Current Medical Care Details” in the emergency care form via SIS ParentVUE, this will be updated for the student. Information on how to update through ParentVUE can be found on the FCPS Website.
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Student Rights & Responsibilities - All students will review the SR&R in the first week of school. Every year, FCPS requires parents/guardians to review, sign, and return the SR&R parent/guardian signature page acknowledging awareness of online access to and/or the opportunity to receive a printed copy of the FCPS SR&R Guide for Families. We will email when this is available in ParentVUE.The SR&R Booklet, when updated, can also be found on the FCPS website, along with updates to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year.
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Parent Digital Tool Permission - By completing this digital form (available starting August 7), you provide permission for your child to use the FCPS-approved online tools listed as part of an instructional program.
Optional Back to School Forms
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Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights - Fairfax County Public Schools wants all parents to understand its policies regarding surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights. In its Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms (Annual Notice), FCPS provides explanations of the rights listed above as well as forms that may be used to exercise opt-out choices. Two versions of the Annual Notice are available — a grades K-8 version and a grades 9-12 version. Parents with children at different grade levels should read each applicable version of the Annual Notice because the notices and opt-out rights vary depending on the student’s grade level. Get more information and view the 2023-24 Opt-Out Booklets
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FCPS Free and Reduced Lunch Forms and Consent to Share Information - Families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced price meals for the 2023-24 school year. Eligible families are encouraged to submit the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application before the first day of the 2023-24 school year. More information is on the FCPS website, including forms to apply for Free or Reduced Lunch. If your children are eligible for free and reduced lunch, they may also be eligible to participate in several fee-based programs (class fees, senior dues, parking fees, etc.) at either no cost or a reduced cost if you provide a consent to share information form. You can scroll to the bottom of the FCPS page to access “Consent to Share Information”.
Greetings from the School Health Room
The School Health Aide will be available for medication drop-off in the school Health Room. If you have any questions contact Carevia Davis at ctdavis@fcps.edu.
All medications are required to have a medication authorization.
As needed, over-the-counter medications may be transported to school (directly to the clinic) after the first day by high school students, however the medication must be in the original unopened container and accompanied by an appropriate Medication Authorization. All prescription medications must be transported to school by a parent or designated adult
Class of 2024 Immunization Requirement Notice
The Code of Virginia requires all students to be immunized against certain communicable diseases prior to entrance into Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
All students entering 12th grade will be required to receive one dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) prior to the beginning of school.
- To meet the Meningococcal (MenACWY) 12th grade requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 16 or older.
ACTION REQUESTED: Please provide one of the following immunization documents to the Mrs. Barr at bsbarr@fcps.edu or 810.2306 as soon as possible:
- An updated immunization record showing that the student has received the Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY).
- A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the date the Meningococcal vaccine was given.
- A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption Form, which is available online at: https://bit.ly/VDOEReligiousExemptionForm
Immunizations are available from your child’s healthcare provider, the Fairfax County Health Department, or other community resources. Use the QR Codes below to identify resources:
Expunging High School Courses Taken in Middle School (Incoming 9th Graders Only)
Parents of incoming 9th grade students who completed a high school courses (World Language, Algebra, and Geometry) in the 2022-23 school year may request the final grades for these courses be omitted from your student’s transcript. You must submit a Request to Expunge High School Courses Taken in Middle School form to Herndon HS Student Services, after the course is completed and prior to November 3, 2023.
Schedule Change Process
- August 7-18, 2023 - Schedule changes, if space is available.
- August 21-30, 2023 - No changes due to membership
- August 31 - September 15, 2023 - Changes are allowed, if space is available. No class caps will be raised to accommodate schedule changes.
- After September 15, 2023 - No elective changes. Up or down requests only. Schedule Change Request Forms are required to be completed with student, parent, teacher, school counselor and administrator feedback.
- After March 22, 2024 - No schedule changes.
When a Nap Isn’t a Nap
Overdoses touch people and communities in many ways. International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31st, 2023, is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose and remember those who have died without stigma while also acknowledging the grief of their loved ones. An overdose means having more of a drug(s) than the body can handle. Unfortunately, opioid misuse is now the leading cause of unnatural death in Fairfax County according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Don’t allow it to go unnoticed in your home, in our community.
Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as Percocet, oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others (NIH).
Opioids slow the central nervous system to produce a calming effect. When taken in excess amounts or in combination with other central nervous system depressants, they greatly suppress breathing and the heart rate.
Signs of an overdose include: Loss of consciousness. Unresponsive to outside stimulus. Awake, but unable to talk. Breathing is very slow and shallow, erratic, or has stopped. For lighter skinned people, the skin tone turns bluish purple, for darker skinned people, it turns grayish or ashen. Choking sounds, or a snore-like gurgling noise (sometimes called the “death rattle”). Vomiting. Body is very limp. Face is very pale or clammy. Fingernails and lips turn blue or purplish black. Pulse (heartbeat) is slow, erratic, or not there at all
A person may appear as though they are just napping. It may be difficult to tell if someone is napping or potentially overdosing, especially if they are snoring.
If someone is making unfamiliar sounds while “sleeping” it is worth trying to wake him or her up. Many loved ones of users thought a person was snoring, when in fact they were overdosing. These situations are a missed opportunity to intervene and save a life. Snoring and gurgling can indicate that a person is having trouble breathing. With substance use, especially with opioids which slow down the systems of the body, snoring may indicate a serious and potentially life-threatening obstruction of the airway.
In the context of substance use, snoring is not something that should be seen as “normal”. Don’t let someone “sleep it off” if they are snoring; this may be a sign of a significant and life-threatening emergency. You should attempt to wake them immediately.
If they do wake up, then the snoring (airway obstruction) will resolve. If they do not wake up, call 911 immediately.
As we are about to embark on another school year, it is important to bring awareness to our families and students about what to look for in regards to substance use. Take confidence in the fact that you know what is normal for your student and what is not in terms of their behavior.
Potential signs that something may be off with your student: A student who starts acting withdrawn or seems tired, depressed, or mad for no reason • Changing friends • Not caring about personal appearance • Slipping grades, skipping classes • Losing interest in favorite activities • Behavioral or academic trouble at school or with the law • Changes in eating or sleeping habits • Not getting along with family members • Lying or stealing
These signs do not always mean there is a drug or alcohol problem, but they may be cause for concern. Try to find out what is going on. Do not be afraid to have open and non-judgmental conversations with your student. Get to know their teachers, friends, and their friends' parents. A new school year means new opportunities. Let’s work together to make this year great.
Resources:
For further Information & support: Diana Vera, MSW | Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist | dpvera@fcps.edu
Lightspeed Parent Report on Child's Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.
Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
Chromebook Tips
High school and secondary school students are receiving a new Chromebook this year. These devices feature larger screens than previously issued devices and battery life that easily lasts the school day.
Encourage your student to visit the following helpful links to:
If your child prefers to use their personal laptop, make sure it meets our minimum requirements. Students may access our student Chromebook FAQs (FCPS Google login required) for more information.
If your student runs into any issues while using their Chromebook, please have them reach out to their school’s tech team for support.
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