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In This Issue
Food For Neighbors Red Bag Event
A heartfelt thank you to Food For Neighbors for organizing a successful Red Bag Event this Saturday morning at Herndon Middle School! FFN was able to reach a great milestone by collecting 26,530 pounds of food and toiletries, which were donated by 2,036 household throughout Northern Virginia. These generous donations will help over 7,500 students in 47 partnering schools.
Also a very special thank you to the German Armed Forces Command for donating over $4,000 to this cause!
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FCPS Principal Evaluation Feedback Form
On Monday, March 18, Herndon Middle School parents/guardians will be sent an email containing a link to complete the online FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the VDOE-mandated Performance Evaluation Program for principals and offers parents/guardians an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various topics related to our school. These topics include how the principal demonstrates/impacts instructional leadership, school climate, management, communication and community relations, culturally responsive and equitable leadership, and professionalism within the school.
The questionnaire will be administered between March 18 and April 5. When you receive an email from FCPS Surveys, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Your feedback matters!
Share Your Thoughts on Schoology
FCPS will be conducting voluntary, anonymous surveys on the use of Schoology from Monday, March 11, to Friday, March 22. Surveys will be delivered to:
- Elementary students (grades 3-6) through the Schoology App Center.
- Secondary students via email from Naviance.
Student feedback will inform the school division’s use of Schoology and help improve its processes, communication, and professional learning for staff. FCPS’ Instructional Services Department will also be reaching out to families through focus groups.
Please contact Schoology@fcps.edu if you have questions.
Fairfax County Science and Engineering Fair Open House
Members of the general public are invited to attend the science fair open house at Robinson Secondary School on Sunday, March 17 from 1 to 3 p.m.
New Regulation on Meditation and Reflection Spaces
FCPS has developed Regulation 1502 to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division. The regulation provides guidance for schools on how to manage requests for silent reflection during instructional and non-instructional time, and for students to leave school for religious activities.
This spaces is located in the Main Office and in the Resource Wing, for individuals to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students requesting to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Families are encouraged to contact the main office regarding accommodations. View Regulation 1502. Visit FCPS' Guidelines for Religious Activities webpage for more information.
High School Musical Jr. Spirit Week!
Join the High School Musical Jr. cast and crew March 11-15 for a fun Spirit Week to promote the show!
Monday - Comfy Monday
Tuesday - College Gear Day
Wednesday - Workout Wednesday
Thursday - Show Shirt Day
Friday - Fancy Friday
Show Dates:
Thursday, March 14
Friday, March 15
Saturday, March 16
Students $5 | Adults $10
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Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
This year, spring break is March 25-29. We will be eager to welcome your children back to school on Wednesday, April 3, after two teacher work days. Student attendance is very important. Every day, our teachers will be teaching, and students will be learning. Studies have shown that just two absences per month can cause students to fall behind. Let’s finish this school year strong. Visit FCPS’ website for attendance resources.
Take the Family Engagement Survey!
FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey is now open. Survey partner K12 Insight emailed a link to families on March 3 and again on March 6. Please participate! Your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve FCPS practices to best support our students.
The survey is available in 10 languages. Parents/caregivers may stop by the front office to fill out a paper survey or complete the survey online. Please check your email for the survey invitation or use this survey link.
Get more information on the Family Engagement Survey webpage.
Lightspeed Classroom Management
As part of our commitment to creating a safe and focused learning environment for our students, our school is using a classroom management tool that will help teachers better connect with student devices during classes. We are continuing to expand our use over the coming weeks. This tool will provide teachers with a number of helpful features:
- Easily view student screens in real time from the teacher console to see which students may need guidance or support.
- Focus student attention on a particular website on their device to minimize distractions.
- Pause student access to the internet to focus on other classroom tasks.
We believe this classroom management tool will allow us to maximize class time to support your student’s learning while at school. Please note that student devices will not be monitored outside of school hours. The regular filters remain in place on school devices, but once they are home, teachers cannot monitor students. As parents, we would like to encourage you to sign up for your own Lightspeed reports, which will allow you to see how your child is spending time on the computer during and after school hours.
Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8
A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.
Because the timing overlaps with dismissal, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.
Institute for the Arts
Students in all FCPS secondary schools can enroll in the Institute for the Arts (IFTA). IFTA is a two or three week summer Arts Enrichment Program for students in rising 7th through 12th grades. Students create their own schedules in Art, Music, Theatre, and Dance from nearly 60 courses offered. Transportation is provided from around the county. Tuition assistance is available for students who qualify. Check out the Institute for the Arts website for more information or email ifta@fcps.edu.
Deadline to enroll is Tuesday, April 30.
Summer Camps and Learning Programs
Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a summer camp for your child with special needs?
The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.
Italy Tour: Summer 2025
Students, did you ever want to travel the world? Well now is your chance! Come to Italy with us to taste gelato, explore the Colosseum, and take a gondola ride in Venice! Come to our informational meeting on Tuesday, March 19 at 6:30pm to learn more about our upcoming Summer 2025 Italy trip. This is a non-FCPS sponsored tour. Your family can register for the meeting here: https://bit.ly/49G37UU by Monday, March 18.
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High School Musical Jr. Tickets
Tickets for the Herndon Middle School production of High School Musical are now on sale! You can purchase them on etix!
Get your ticket fast - last year we sold out and you don't want to miss this production!!
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Healthy Kids Running Series
Registration is now open for the Spring 2024 Healthy Kids Running Series (HKRS) in Herndon. HKRS is a non-profit 5-week running program held on Sundays that gives kids the opportunities to race against their peers
- 50 meter dash for preschoolers aged 2 or 3 years
- 75 meter dash for preschoolers aged 4 or 5 years
- 1/4 mile for Kindergarteners or 1st graders
- 1/2 mile for 2nd or 3rd graders
- A full mile with two divisions:
- 4th and 5th graders
- 6th, 7th, and 8th graders
Points accumulate each week and the runners with the most points after the final races on week 5 receive a trophy for their age and gender division. All children receive a medal for their participation.
Please join us at Stratton Woods Park, located at 2441 Fox Mill Road, Herndon, VA 22070 on April 21 and 28, May 5, 12, and 19, at 4:30pm for a fun and healthy event! Warm-ups begin at 4:15pm.
Opioid Conversation
Join a Community Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs
A community conversation addressing the opioid crisis within Northern Virginia and Fairfax County Public Schools will be held Monday, March 18 from 6:30-8:00pm, in the auditorium at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Please enter through Door #14.
All attendees will receive a free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.
This discussion will provide families, staff, and students with valuable knowledge about the dangers of drugs and deadly fentanyl. The material discussed is suitable for students in grades 6-12. Together as a community, we aim to explore collaborative strategies to minimize the impact of these harmful and too-often fatal substances.
Language interpretation services are available as well as American Sign Language accommodation. Childcare and transportation will also be provided, as needed. Learn more about the event and register online.
Get Your Child’s Immunizations Up-to-Date
Immunization Clinic now open to all Fairfax County students who need immunizations regardless of if they have had vaccines in the past, new to the country, or those that just need a follow up to be up to date.
Appointments are recommended for faster service, but not required. A limited number of walk-ins will be accepted. Call 703-246-7100.
Ramadan
This year, the first full day of Ramadan was Monday, March 11. In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity and good deeds. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids.
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Spring Break
March 25-29 is Spring Break. Schools and school offices will be closed. We wish our students and teachers a happy and restful Spring Break! See the complete school year calendar.
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Good Friday
Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the day on which Christians annually observe the commemoration of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Good Friday is a day of mourning. During special Good Friday services Christians meditate on Jesus' suffering and death on the cross, and what this means for their faith. Read more at Britannica.com.
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March
- National Women's History Month
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14-16 | High School Musical Jr.
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19 | Italy Summer Tour Info Session
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22 | 3rd Quarter Ends
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25-29 | Spring Break
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29 | Good Friday
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FCPS Cares
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.
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