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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.
Dear Dranesville Families,
I’m looking forward to joining the Class of 2024 graduations of our Dranesville students. This has always been my favorite school event as a Director of Student Services and now as the Dranesville School Board member. I realize some of our students' paths to graduation were filled with hills and valleys. Walking across the stage to receive their diplomas is built on their efforts and those of their families, teachers, and school community. Congratulations on all your work and persistence over the last 4 years. Well done and best of luck in your next adventures! I'm sending my applause to all our students finishing the school year especially those rising 7th and 9th graders.
The Boundary Policy 8130 is under review by the School Board’s Governance Committee. This past February, four of my colleagues presented a forum on Policy 8130. Since FCPS has not done a holistic review of the countywide Boundary Policy for 38 years, we voted to send the policy to the Governance Committee for review and revision. By looking at the policy, we can look at capacity issues, both over and under; long commutes; aim for fewer buses; achieve more sleep for students; and find ways to save taxpayers money. As a side note, we budget close to $200 million in transportation every year.
The next Governance Committee meeting is scheduled for June 18th at 10:30am. After the Governance Committee is finished with its draft, the next step will be to discuss the proposed changes. This will take place with the entire Board at a work session. Depending on the outcome of the work session, the updated policy could then be brought for a vote by the School Board at a Regular Meeting or sent back to the Governance Committee for further review. I will be sharing updates on this work and community and caregiver input opportunities as they become available in my newsletter. FCPS has developed a webpage (Boundary Policy Review- Spring 2024) where you can find the latest information on why the boundary policy review may be linked to better student achievement through instructional quality, budget optimization, and enhanced student well-being.
Enjoy your summer and hope to see you around Dranesville!
Robyn
Photos from Langley HS's graduation
Calendar Reminders
June 12: Last Day of School- 2-hour early release
June 17: Eid al-Adha- FCPS holiday
June 19: Juneteenth- FCPS holiday
August 19: First Day of 2024-25 School Year
Complete school year calendar for 2024-25
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Early Dismissal on the Last Day of School
The last day of school is Wednesday, June 12. All secondary and high schools will have a two-hour day with dismissal at 10 or 10:10 a.m. Elementary and middle schools will be dismissed two hours early. Look for communications from your school about their bell times/schedules for the last day of school.
School Board Updates
School Board Votes to Adopt Fiscal Year 2025 Approved Budget
The Fairfax County School Board voted May 23rd to adopt Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Approved Budget. The FY 2025 Approved Budget totals $3.7 billion — a net increase of $233.2 million or 6.6% over the previous year. Read the approved budget news release.
The FY 2025 Approved Budget focuses on providing educational excellence for all students and ensuring that employees’ hard work and dedication are acknowledged through competitive compensation. Both of these efforts fully align with the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Nearly 86% of the Approved Budget is targeted at instruction. Key budget highlights include funding for a 4% compensation increase for all employees; maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students; and expanding athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.
Holistic Review of FCPS Boundary Policy
For the first time in decades, the Fairfax County School Board is conducting a comprehensive review of the Fairfax County Public Schools Boundary Policy (Policy 8130) to consider possible updates that will provide a clear roadmap for any potential future boundary changes. There are no current plans to implement boundary changes.
This holistic policy review is designed to address the community's concerns about a host of issues, including temporary classrooms (trailers), instructional program locations, overcrowding, facility renovations, and transportation. Comprehensive community engagement will take place before any potential future changes. For additional information, please visit this Boundary Policy Review webpage.
School Board Meeting Highlights- May 23
The School Board approved proclamations honoring former Assistant Superintendent of School Improvement and Supports Mark Greenfelder, former Region 3 Assistant Superintendent Dr. Grace Taylor, former Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Dr. Sherry Agnew-Scott, and former Chief Operating Officer Chuck Fanshaw.
The School Board adopted the FY 2025 Budget and approved necessary modifications to the FY 2025 Advertised Budget due to county and state budget impacts. The FY 2025 Adopted Budget maintains the School Board and division's priorities in the FY 2025 Advertised Budget by approving a needs-based budget focused on educational excellence and opportunity for all students and competitive compensation by providing a compensation increase of 4% to all FCPS employees.
In a related action, the School Board approved these follow-on motions to the FY 2025 Adopted Budget:
- That the School Board direct the Superintendent to present to the School Board, as part of the School Year 2024-25 Executive Limitation 11 (EL-11) monitoring report, a benefit-cost analysis and legal framework for using public-private partnerships to design, build, finance, and maintain FCPS school buildings and infrastructure. Public-private partnerships shall not be used to reduce or replace FCPS employees or outsource functions performed by FCPS employees.
- That the School Board direct the Superintendent to present to the School Board, as part of the School Year 2024-25 Executive Limitation 11 (EL-11) monitoring report, a plan for exploring the reduction of annual leasing expenses.
- That the School Board direct the Superintendent to present to the School Board, as part of the School Year 2024-25 Executive Limitation 11 (EL-11) monitoring report, a benefit-cost analysis for achieving the Board’s Joint Environmental Task Force directive of replacing the school division’s diesel school bus fleet with electric alternatives and building any additional charging infrastructure required.
Superintendent Reid presented the Strategic Plan Goal 4 Baseline Report. The School Board approved the Goal 4 Baseline Report as the division’s starting point for the work toward achieving the goals in our Strategic Plan 2023-30.
Dr. Reid presented a monitoring report on Executive Limitation-12: Technology. The School Board found that the Superintendent has made adequate progress towards compliance with EL-12. In a related action, the School Board voted to maintain Executive Limitation 12: Technology, as it is currently detailed in the Strategic Governance Manual.
Dr. Reid, Senior Manager III for Systemwide Professional Development Annie Dipert, and Educational Specialist Bob Hamell presented a Strategic Plan update on the division's Grow Your Own (GYO) initiative for Special Education teachers.
Watch the full meeting on the FCPS YouTube channel.
Dr. Reid's 5/23/24 Academic Matters:
New SOL Growth Reports
In the Academic Matters segment of last week’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented information on the Virginia Department of Education’s new Standards of Learning (SOL) Growth Reports for families of students in grades 3-8.
These new reports are designed to give a yearlong look at student performance by combining information from earlier Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) results with SOL results. Dr. Reid also discussed how FCPS’ reporting plan for spring assessment results was created with accessibility in mind. Watch the video of the Academic Matters presentation or view the slide presentation.
Learn how to understand your student’s grade 3-8 SOL results.
Student Testing Results Coming Soon
Later this month, you will begin receiving your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, view this list of tests by grade level on FCPS’ website.
How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be posted in SIS ParentVUE, or sent by mail or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines.
Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student assessments, including what each assessment is testing for and how to interpret the test results. Caregivers should contact their children’s teacher with any testing questions.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
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Thursday, June 13, 7 pm: Regular Meeting including VHSL Winter and Spring Recognitions
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Tuesday, June 18, 10:30am- 1pm: Governance Committee
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Thursday, June 20, 4- 8 pm: Committee Reports
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Monday, June 24, 5- 9pm: Committee Reports
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Tuesday, June 25, 10:30am: Forum
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Tuesday, June 25, 11:30am- 4:30pm: Work Session
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Thursday, June 27, 7 pm: Regular Meeting
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Thursday, July 11, 7 pm: Regular Meeting
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Thursday, June 18, 7 pm: Regular Meeting
All times and topics subject to change.
How to watch meetings and sign up to speak
Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español
Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR.
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FCPS Updates and Resources
FLE Materials Available for Review
The recommended Family Life Education (FLE) instructional materials are available for community review through 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 10. Find details and a feedback form here.
Let's Finish the School Year Strong!
Student attendance at school is important all year long, up to the last day of school. Attendance has an effect on student performance and on school accreditation. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at the school—a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Learn more about attendance resources here. See how to:
- Check your child’s attendance record.
- Help your student stay engaged at school.
- Report future absences.
- Understand the FCPS school calendar.
Congratulations to all our Dranesville schools, students, and families who have made great strides improving our students' attendance this school year!
Immunizations for Rising 7th &12th Graders
Immunizations are required for all students entering 7th and 12th grades this fall. Caregivers should ask their private healthcare provider or the health department to review their student's immunization record to ensure that their student has received these required immunizations. Get more information on all student immunization requirements.
It is important to schedule immunizations early in the summer, as seventh-grade students must submit documentation of the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines before they begin school in August. Twelfth-grade students must submit documentation of the Meningococcal vaccine.
Click the image to learn more about Inova Cares Clinics
It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
Do you have, or know of a rising kindergartener scheduled to come to FCPS next year? All students that turn five by September 30, 2024 are eligible to attend Kindergarten this fall. Please spread the word that registration is underway. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us plan so that we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. There’s an easy to follow five-step process outlined for parents registering their children for kindergarten. Be sure to register your child as soon as possible!
Register Your Children Online
Online registration is available for new FCPS families! Apply today to help us plan for the 2024-25 school year.
2024-25 FCPS PreK & Early Head Start Program
The FCPS PreK and Early Head Start program is accepting applications for SY 2024-25. FCPS PreK and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying income-eligible children ages six weeks to four years living in Fairfax County. Space is limited and based on income and educational risk factors, not first come, first served. Apply online, by email fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu, or in person at FCPS’ Leis Center (7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church).
New Chief Human Resources Officer
Dr. Reid has named William Solomon, who served as executive director of Talent Acquisition in Houston Independent School District, to the role of chief human resources officer, effective June 3.
FCPS Retirement Ceremony
The annual Retirement Ceremony, We Honor You, was held on Wednesday, May 1. Retirees, along with their family and friends, FCPS' Leadership Team, and members of the School Board, attended the catered event. Each of the 180 retirees who attended had a profile read by a member of the Leadership Team and received a gift. Those honored represented more than 4,200 years of service with FCPS. Thank you to all our newly retired staff members for all the ways you have supported and empowered our students and families, each other, and our division over the years. You've made an invaluable impact on our community. View the ceremony program, photos, and video here.
Work for FCPS
Become a Teacher!
Interested in becoming a teacher? Learn about opportunities on Saturday, June 8: 9am- 12pm, at Oakton High School. Registration is required to attend.
Deputy Clerk
The School Board seeks a Deputy Clerk to help ensure our elected School Board. This position reports to the Head Clerk, and works collaborative with an additional Deputy Clerk. The job is fast-paced; includes working with legal and policy matters; and requires strong project management, communication, and collaboration skills. While the job requires traditional workweek hours in FCPS Central Office in Falls Church (off of I-495), responsibilities will include at least two weeknights a month, and an occasional weekend day.
Support Technician
The School Board is also looking for a full-time Support Technician I. This position will provide wide-ranging meeting support, including setting up and breaking down meetings, assisting with proclamations, preparing minutes, handling exhibit files, and other duties. Please note that while the position says “One Year Only,” the intention is for this position to be a permanent position in the office.
May 2024 Audit Buzz Newsletter
In this issue of the Audit Buzz, we provide an update on current engagements, celebrate Internal Audit Awareness Month and offer a training opportunity to Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) employees. Prior editions of Audit Buzz are archived here on Office of Auditor General's (OAG) website.
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Community Updates
Supervisor Bierman's Newsletter
Please sign up for Supervisor Bierman's Dranesville Dispatch newsletter here to keep up-to-date on Dranesville and Fairfax County news and events.
 Andina Dental will be hosting a dental event on Saturday, June 8 and Monday, June 10: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. in the Seven Corners area, with the participation of Anthem Healthkeepers/Medicaid of Virginia and Andina Dental Health. Don't miss this great opportunity! For more information, please contact 703-223-2440.
Drowning Deaths Increasing
Drowning deaths are on the rise in the United States, following decades of decline, according to a new CDC Vital Signs study. Over 4,500 people died due to drowning each year from 2020–2022, 500 more per year compared to 2019. To learn about recreational water illnesses, injury prevention, and more, visit the Healthy Swimming and Recreational Water Safety website.
Click the image to learn more
From the FC Police Department,
Night Out- August 6
It's time to register your community for National Night Out! Help make this a memorable event by connecting with officers of the McLean District Station. REGISTRATION (*Your information will not be shared*) Deadline- July 26
Whether it’s a simple ice cream party or an all-out festival, National Night Out is an opportunity to gather with your neighbors, get better acquainted, and talk about issues of common concern. Learn more about Night Out 2024 here.
Police Non-Emergency Number
Behind a drunk driver? Need to report a suspicious person? Alarm going off overnight? Dispatchers are available, for non-emergency (703-691-2131) and emergency (911). Please be aware that social media accounts are not monitored 24/7.
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Elementary School Literacy Implementation Support Grant Winners
Congratulations to Hutchison ES and Herndon ES for receiving VDOE Elementary School Literacy Implementation!
First Class Awards
First-Class Awards are presented each year to recognize and celebrate the efforts of educators, administrators, support staff, and students who demonstrate excellence in all facets of education related to disability. See all the award winners here.
Here are Dranesville students’ schools' winners:
- Middle/High School Teacher
- Jessica Magarelli, Special Education Teacher, Westfield HS
- Todd Utter, Adapted PE Teacher, Westfield HS
- Middle/High School Support Staff
- Lisa DeCandia, Instructional Assistant, Westfield HS
- Chad Clayton, Principal, Davis Career Center
Cappies Nominees
FCPS students are talented actors, musicians, and visual artists. Many FCPS high schools participate in the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Critics and Awards Program for High School Theatre, otherwise known as the Cappies. The Cappies is a program through which high school theater and journalism students are trained as critics, attend shows at other schools, write reviews, and publish those reviews in local newspapers. There are fifteen Cappies chapters across the United States and Canada. See all the 2024 National Capital Area nominees here.
Congratulations to all the Dranesville student school Cappies nominees:
- Critics categories nominees from
- Herndon HS, Langley HS, McLean HS, TJHSST, Westfield HS
- Acting nominees from
- Herndon HS, Langley HS, McLean HS, South Lakes HS, Westfield HS
- Music nominee
- Best Musical
- Herndon HS’s “Fiddler on the Roof”
- Other Category nominees from
- Herndon HS, McLean HS, South Lakes HS, Westfield HS
Students Compete and Win at International Science and Engineering Fair
Thirteen students from Fairfax County Public Schools won awards at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles. More than 1,700 students represented 67 countries, regions, and territories across the world and competed for approximately $9 million in awards and scholarships. See the list of FCPS students who won awards.
The Virginia MATHCOUNTS Team
The Virginia MATHCOUNTS team, consisting of FCPS students, finished seventh in the country at the national MATHCOUNTS competition! The team members are Shunyao Yan from Longfellow Middle School, Alexander Liu from Carson Middle School, Yeeyung Li from Longfellow Middle School, and Andrew Du from Cooper Middle School. They were led by coaches Mei Coffey, math teacher at Longfellow; Patricia Freeman, retired Longfellow teacher; and parent Jong Jung. Alexander and Shunyao finished in the top 12 of students in the country! Together all things are possible!
Virtual Victory at the Junior Japan Bowl
The annual National Junior Japan Bowl — a quiz-bowl-style Japanese language and culture competition. At the Eighth National Junior Japan Bowl, FCPS had a strong showing with 225 students. The virtual event drew 517 elementary and middle school students from 26 schools in 10 states! Read more and see a list of the winners.
Great Falls ES (GFES) teams took top honors in level 1 and level 2 of the Japan Bowl this year! The GFES Ninja Cats and Flying Tacos placed first with the GFES Doggos placing third in level 2. Top individual honors also went to GFES students, with roadrunners placing 1st and 6th overall for level one as well as taking 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th place overall in level 2! Our JIP students competed virtually with students from around the country who are also studying Japanese culture and language. We are so proud of our students and their hard work!
MCA 2024 Teen Awards
The McLean Citizens Association's Teen Character Award to five deserving teens in the 26th annual award ceremony on a rainy McLean Day. MCA created the award to honor teens who, on their own and without compensation, help out in their neighborhood or community and thereby demonstrate outstanding character. This year’s awardees:
- Aimee Abraham -- Sophomore at McLean High School
- Connor Bo -- Junior at McLean High School
- Sophia Filipi -- Junior at Langley High School
- Kais Saleh -- Junior at Langley High School
- Zachary Speroni -- Junior at McLean High
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MCC 2024-2025 Governing Board Youth Members
Congratulations to the McLean Community Center (MMC) Youth Members on the 2024-25 Governing Board!
Youth, one-year term—Langley High School area: Sonya Thott.
Youth, one-year term—McLean High School area: Aaron Stark.
Global Leaders of Fairfax County Program
 The Global Leaders of Fairfax County program seeks to prepare its fellows to be global citizens and change agents in their community and the world. These students successfully completed the program which saw them take part in year-long projects focused on applying each of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals to the Fairfax County community.
Congratulations to these Dranesville schools' students:
- Herndon HS: Bibisha Acharya, Amisha Dwivedy, and Ashwini Sigdel.
- Langley HS: Ryan Dadoo, Petra Muehlheuser, and Cristina Pak.
- Marshall HS: Riya Bajpai, Cordelia Norris, and Matthew Ramos.
- McLean HS: Shriya Sirivolu.
- Thomas Jefferson HSST: Harika Akundi, Sahithi Atluri, Ebba Cha, Kinnari Chaubal, Tommy Fan, Om Gole, Garv Jain, Sahil Kapadia, Akshitha Kumar, Abigail Little, Samiksha Prabhu, Angelina Richter, Chris Yoo, William Zhang, Yushu Zhang, Laura Zhang, and Brian Zhou.
- Westfield HS: Spoorthi Nadkarni, and Huyen Nguyen.
Students in Ms. Helton's second grade class wrote letters to me and invited me for a visit. They advocated for a shorter school day and more recess.
Herndon Pyramid FCPS CARES Winners
One of our CARES of the Month recipients for March is Fanny Salazar-Laske, a family liaison at Herndon Middle School. Fanny’s work focuses on helping those unfamiliar with the school, community, and even the United States. Her nominator explained that Fanny’s support includes helping an immigrant family register at the school and navigate “all things school, but more importantly, the world and culture they have stepped into.”
One of our CARES of the Month recipients for April is Jessica Vargas, a Herndon ES Resource teacher, was a member of the Artificial Intelligence Innovator Cohort who received a team FCPS CARES. "As members of the Artificial Intelligence Innovator Cohort, these educators have demonstrated exceptional leadership by sharing their experiences using the text-to-image AI feature in Adobe Express. Their contributions to an FCPS video currently in production will provide valuable insights and inspiration to colleagues across the district, highlighting the potential of this tool to enhance student expression, creativity, and learning outcomes. Each educator thoughtfully detailed their unique journey within the cohort, offering a diverse range of perspectives on the impact of this technology on students of various grade levels and learning needs. As AI innovators, they have already made significant contributions to their school communities, and this video will further amplify their reach, empowering educators throughout FCPS to leverage AI tools for transformative educational experiences."
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McLean HS Boys Tennis Team after 2024 State Quarterfinals Win
McLean HS
USA Junior Math Olympiad Honoree- Congratulations to Jeffrey Yin, a member of the McLean Highlander Math League (NHML). Jeffrey received honors on the selective USA Junior Math Olympiad. Only three students in the state of Virginia received this distinction.
USA Physics Olympiad Awards- Congratulations to Aiden Feyerherm and Clement Ding for receiving awards on the selective USA Physics Olympiad. Aiden received a bronze medal and Clement received an Honorable Mention.
SISB & Bangkok Aerobic Gymnastics Competition- Congratulations to McLean HS 9th grader, Shirley Wang! She won third place at the 3rd SISB Aerobic Gymnastics Open 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. Shirley represented the USA Team.
Langley HS
National Latin Exam- Congratulations to the Langley Latin students who participated in this year's exam, 19 of whom won awards for their performance. Summa Cum Laude with Gold Medal: Jayden Lee, Latin III and Daniel Park, Latin I
GMU's Russian Olympiada- We salute the fifty-two Langley Russian students who took part in the annual Olympiada of Spoken Russian at George Mason University.
Here are the Gold medalists:
Level 1: Celine Akel, Farhan Ali, Vikhyat Duddilla, Maxim Ehle, Tanish Reddy Gottimukkula, Shirya Gubbi, Ameya Haldankar, Ida-Sofia Ketola, Arjun Krishnamurthy, Akshay Malhotra, Annika Nyquist, Sophia Robertson, Ava Starzewski, Anupa Vinod
Level 2: Philip Prifold, Lakshmi Reddy
Level 3: Lanka Chinmayee, Vishva Rakasi, Maya Alemblaseril, Kaylee Pechenek, Victoria Starykh, Victoria Yatsenko
Level 4: Alexander Arends, Cleia Jones, Sonya Morrisroe, Emir Abdygulov, Margaret Kolodina, Alexandra Shakula, Anthony Starkov
My visit to Langley HS with Supervisor Bierman
Cooper MS
Cooper Science Olympiad team- congratulations on their hard work and effort at the National tournament where they competed against 60 teams from all 50 states. Special shout out to our two medaling groups Ray Zhao and Oliver Yu who came in 4th Place for Wind Power, and Kylie Rudinsky and Mythili Sudhir who came in 3rd Place for Can't Judge a Powder. Overall Cooper placed 25th out of 60 in the entire country! We could not be prouder of the entire team for a hard-working season!
Cooper Wordmaster team- recently earned Highest Honors in the 2023-2024 WordMasters Challenge™—a national vocabulary competition. The eighth-grade team scored 174 points out of 200, placing tenth in the nation and overall with a cumulative score of 518 points out of a possible 600.
Longfellow MS
In the National Capital Debate League championship, the team of Marcus Wang, Ray Tian, and Ian Kim won FIRST PLACE. Vivian Li, Elaina Wang, and Ian Kim placed in the top 10 for individual speaker. Congratulations to all the winners!
Longfellow's Science Olympiad team won 7th place at the National Tournament. The team won multiple medals, including 2nd Place in Dynamic Planet, 3rd Place in Fossils, 4th Place in Air Trajectory, and 5th Place in both Tower and Wind Power. A huge accomplishment is that the team placed in the top 20 in 19 of the 23 scored events (and in all 3 of the trial events)!
2024 VSBA Art Contest- Northeastern Region MS Winner- Congratulations to Jacob Xu, Longfellow 8th grader for winning 1st place in the MS division. The winning art is framed and displayed in the offices of the VSBA in Charlottesville. Local school board members were treated to an impressive display of creativity and faced some tough decisions in selecting the 2024 winners.
Aldrin ES
Aldrin ES’s Principal Wolfe National PTA Recognition- Principal Shane Wolfe was awarded the VA PTA Principal Partner of the year at the 2024 VA PTA Annual Meeting on May 19, 2024, in Richmond. Earlier in the month, he was recognized by the Fairfax County Council, who put his name forward. Principal Wolfe's collaborative approach has significantly boosted parent engagement and created a stronger unified school community. From hosting ice cream socials to Cultural and Heritage Nights, Book Fairs, Family Reading Nights, Career Day, and Bingo, Principal Wolfe's warm and welcoming attitude has re-engaged families in school activities.
Clearview ES
Congratulations to Clearview parent Amana Katura for being nominated as an Fairfax County Council Parent Teacher Association Ⓡ (FCCPTA) Elementary Volunteer of the Year. We appreciate all you do for Clearview ES!
Haycock ES
Congratulations to our Odyssey of the Mind students who placed in first and third place in the creative problem solving competition at the state level. We are so proud of all of you.
Spring Hill ES
We had our incredible Spring Hill ES Band performed last Friday at King's Dominion and received a 'Superior' rating!
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month.
In the month of June, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically. We stand with those facing an ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. This Pride Month, we affirm our obligation to uphold the dignity of all people. Each individual in our school community should feel valued for who they are. Learn more about Pride Month here.
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Caribbean American Heritage Month
FCPS celebrates the rich diversity and honors the many contributions of immigrants of Caribbean heritage to our nation during the month of June. Caribbean individuals are some of the most ethnically diverse in the world. There are more than 8.5 million individuals in the United States born in the Caribbean or of Caribbean ancestry. Learn more about Caribbean American Heritage Month.
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Gun Violence Awareness/Wear Orange Day- 6/7
The first Friday in June is recognized as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Also known as Wear Orange Day, it was first organized by students in 2013. Information about gun violence prevention is available on our website.
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Eid al-Adha- June 17
Eid Mubarak to all who observe! Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” is the second of two main holidays celebrated in Islam. Muslims believe that Eid al-Adha signifies the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim, known as Abraham in Christianity and Judaism, to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as ordered by Allah. It focuses on sacrifice, the pilgrimage to Mecca and giving to those less fortunate. Learn more in this video from PBS Kids.
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Juneteenth- June 19
Wednesday, June 19 commemorates the day in 1865 that word of the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, effectively marking the end of slavery in the United States. Learn more about Juneteenth.
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Disclaimer: Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. These opportunities may utilize technology tools that have not been assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform that the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.
Student Bus Passes Offer Free Transportation All Year
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. Complete the application and return it to your school's front office. Children 12 and younger ride for free on Fairfax Connector with a paying adult.
Student Program with Coursera Career Academy
Did you know that the FCPS Department of Information Technology has partnered with Coursera to provide an exclusive opportunity for high school students to access the Coursera Career Academy Catalog? Students may explore exciting career paths and gain access to over 30 professional certifications from industry leaders, all at no cost. Browse the FCPS Student Academy Catalog and join the program. First, obtain permission from parent/guardian to access Coursera and complete the Student Interest Form (FCPS student email/log-in required). Questions? Contact Scott Simmons at sfsimmons@fcps.edu.
Note: These courses are not VDOE-recognized industry credentials and do not contribute to high school graduation requirements. This limited program operates on a first-come, first-serve basis.
NOAA Young Changemakers Fellowship
NOAA is pleased to announce the launch of the NOAA Young Changemakers Fellowship application for the 2024-2025 school year. This program is designed for current HS students who are passionate about the environment, climate, ocean, Great Lakes, and/or coasts. Program participants receive mentorship, skill-building opportunities, and financial resources to design and lead an action project in their own community. Full participation comes with an $800 stipend and paid travel to Washington, D.C., for a kick-off summit in July 2024. Applications are due on June 10, 2024. Please reach out to young.changemakers@noaa.gov with questions.
Student Ambassador for Virginia's Environment
Would you like to be a Student Ambassador for Virginia's Environment (SAVE)? Applications for 2024-25 Student Ambassadors are due by June 15th, and selected ambassadors will be announced in August. The SAVE program is for high school juniors and seniors who are passionate about the mission of having a shared responsibility to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify communities. Student Ambassadors are expected to organize and implement two litter cleanups and host a school-wide or community educational project or event.
Herndon Youth Advisory Committee
The Town of Herndon recently established the Herndon Youth Advisory Committee (HYAC) to create a link between the Town of Herndon and the youth of our community. The Committee will advise the Herndon Town Council on activities, issues, and decisions relating to youth in the town and advocate for the interests and desires of our diverse youth population.
We are seeking 12 8th- 12th grade students with an interest in making an impact in their community to apply to serve on the HYAC for the 2024-2025 school year. This is a year-long commitment with up to four (4) in-person meetings to occur during the year, September 2024 – June 2025. Students must live in Herndon or attend classes at Herndon Middle or Herndon High Schools to serve on the HYAC.
Individuals interested in applying to serve on the Youth Advisory Committee can apply on the town’s website by June 15, 2024.
The Teen Police Academy
The Teen Police Academy provides HS students with an opportunity to learn more about the Fairfax County Police Department, understand core police functions, explore careers in law enforcement, and participate in hands-on activities. Application deadline is June 28th. Click this link for more details and directions on how to sign up.
NOVA Early Online College Fall 2024 Semester Registration
NOVA Early Online College (EOC) allows rising high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take up to two tuition-free college courses. EOC courses for the fall semester take place Monday, September 23, through Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Students should register by Friday, July 26, at 5 p.m.
Courses are asynchronous, online, and for college credit only. Thirteen courses are offered along with courses that fulfill the IT Technical Support Career Studies Certificate. EOC courses meet the requirements for most of NOVA’s associate degrees as well as being highly transferable as general education requirements for most colleges and universities.
2024 Stephen A. McLaughlin Champions of Character Award
Nominate an athlete, coach, or parent for the 2024 Stephen A. McLaughlin Champions of Character Award. The awards program honors extraordinary service in pursuing victory with honor on and off the field of competition. Instituted by the Fairfax County Athletic Council, this program aims to support the tradition of amateur athletics in cultivating teamwork, leadership, good sportsmanship, and community service. To nominate an athlete, coach, or parent, visit the Stephen A. McLaughlin Fairfax County Champions of Character Awards web page. Nominations for this year's awards are due by August 1, 2024.
NVSWCD Conservation Poster Contest
Calling all student artists! The 2024 Conservation Poster Contest theme is "May the Forest Be With You, Always." This contest is open to all K-12 students in Fairfax County, and scouts are eligible to earn a poster contest patch. Additionally, this year features a digital poster contest open to students in grade 7-12. The application deadline is Friday, September 27, 2024. Learn more about the 2024 Conservation Poster Contest and contact Ashley Palmer with questions.
Disclaimer: Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. These opportunities may utilize technology tools that have not been assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform that the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.
Summer Food Drive- June 8
Please see this flyer regarding a community food drive to benefit the Facets emergency food pantry. The food drive will take place in the Kiss and Ride area of Haycock ES June 8th 10am- 1pm. Rain date is Sunday, June 9th.
Herndon PRIDE Event - 6/8
- Saturday, June 8:12- 5 p.m.
- Arts Herndon Lawn (750 Center St, Herndon)
The first ever Herndon PRIDE event will be held on Saturday, June 8: 12 p.m.- 5 p.m. at the Arts Herndon Lawn. Join us for this family-friendly event that will include music, food trucks, and more! Click the image to learn more.
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Herndon’s Play All Day- June 20
Come celebrate the longest day of the year (the summer solstice) on June 20! Town of Herndon Parks & Recreation is participating in a statewide initiative, Play All Day VA, along with other parks and recreation agencies across the state and they want YOU to join in the fun! You're invited to explore their parks and try out a new activity/program. You will have the opportunity to meet the staff and discover what the Parks & Rec has to offer for all ages and disabilities. Visit the Play All Day event page for more information.
Workshop for Siblings of Children with Special Needs
- June 28: 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.
- Leis Center 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church
The Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs to: meet other siblings in a relaxed setting; celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs; share sibling experiences and receive peer support; and play games and have fun! Register for this event here.
McLean Independence Day Fireworks Celebration- June 29
Come celebrate Independence Day with MCC. Free admission to enjoy music, food trucks, giveaways and at dusk, a huge fireworks display. For details and information regarding directions, shuttle buses, weather alerts, satellite parking and site location, visit mcleancenter.org. Saturday, June 29: 6:30-10 p.m. with Rain Date: Sunday, June 30 at Langley High School (6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean)
Disclaimer: Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. These opportunities may utilize technology tools that have not been assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform that the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.
Fairfax County’s 1st Puzzle Hunt- starts 6/15
Fairfax County Puzzle Hunt is a unique community event that will take you on a journey to the wonderful parks in Fairfax County. Starting this summer, solve one puzzle or do them all. Participants who submit the final answer will be entered into a chance to win a prize. Puzzles are filled with creative thinking, logic, and wordplay. They are designed to be challenging and accessible for all skill levels. Go to this webpage to learn more.
FCPS Summer Camps
Online Campus Summer Registration Deadline
Registration for summer classes with FCPS’ Online Campus will close on Friday, June 7. Email OnlineCampus@fcps.edu or call 703-503-7781 with any questions.
Summer Arts Programs
Do you have plans for your children yet this summer? Do they love the Arts? Rising 7-12 grade students can learn Photography, Guitar, Cake Decorating, Painting, Stage Combat, Acting, Stone Carving, and much more! Visit Institute for the Arts for more information. Rising 3-6 grade students can take classes in Art, Music, Theatre and Dance daily. Visit Elementary Institute for the Arts for more information. Transportation is available and tuition assistance is offered for students who qualify. Enroll today while seats are still available!
CyberPatriot Summer Camp
Chantilly Academy (4201 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly) is hosting a cybersecurity camp for rising 5th-8th graders. The June 24-28 camp welcomes students of all skill levels. This is an opportunity to learn the importance of cybersecurity and gain the skills to protect from cyber threats on various operating systems. Visit the camp website for more information.
Rec-PAC Camps
Click image to learn more
June 24-August 1: 8:30am-4pm for grades 1-6 (students who have completed kindergarten through rising 7th grade and are residents of Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church). Children with disabilities may attend any location or select one of the lower ratio sites (specialized inclusion sites with staff trained to support children with disabilities). Students can register for one or more specific sessions. Fee is determined by a sliding scale based on your family’s total annual income. Students who are Fairfax County residents and currently receive public assistance are eligible for partial scholarships. Please see this Rec-PAC brochure with registration form in both English and Spanish.
Fairfax County Public Library Summer Fun
Summer Reading Adventure- Begins June 12
Depending on your age, earn ten or fifteen virtual badges by reading or listening to books, reading for 20 or 30 minutes, completing activities or a combination of all three. Once you have met the reading goals for your age/grade, visit your local library branch and receive prizes for finishing the program! Beginning June 5, go to Beanstack to register for summer reading, and you will be entered into a drawing to receive a $25 e-gift card from Scrawl Books! Find out more about the FCPL Summer Reading Adventure here!
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FCPL Teen Chopped Contest- June 12- August 16
Create your own unique recipe for FCPL's Teen Chopped Challenge from June 12- August 16! This competition is for ages 12-18. Use our three mystery ingredients to make something fun and delicious. A limited quantity of ingredient kits will be available at select library branches. These are first come, first served. Register at our Teen Chopped event page to receive updates and reminders.
FCPL The World We Write Short Story Contest- July
Fairfax County Public Library and the Fairfax Library Foundation invite school-age youth (grades 3-6), teens (grades 7-12) and adults (18+) to participate in our second annual "The World We Write" short story writing contest. Use one of the prompts to write a 250-word story. Contest goes from July 1-July 31. Learn more about the contest here.
BARNES & NOBLE Summer Reading Program
Read 8 books, fill out the Barnes and Noble form, and turn it in at their store for a FREE BOOK! Look for more information about the reading program and special reading events here.
The Book It Reading Program
Maybe you fondly remembering reading books to earn a pizza prize...you can relive your nostalgia with Pizza Hut's resurrected Book It program for students preK-6th grade! Enroll here
Planet Fitness Student Summer Membership
Since the High School Summer Pass™ program began, Planet Fitness has invested more than $200 million in waived membership dues to promote youth health and wellness and improve the physical and mental health of millions of teens. Starting June 1, teens ages 14-19 can work out for free at Planet Fitness all summer long! But don't wait, pre-register now!
Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP)
William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education is excited to share its Summer/Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) with your family. SEP is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning. The program is not meant to replace the regular school curriculum; rather, it recognizes the importance of allowing able children to explore additional specialized areas of science, mathematics, humanities, and the arts. There are in-person and virtual courses available in the areas of engineering, music, STEM, coding, writing, social science, and many more. For more information, and to see what classes are available please visit our website!
Fairfax County Summer Entertainment Series
Get outside and groove to the music during the Summer Entertainment Series across Fairfax County. Enjoy a diverse lineup of performances from classical to bluegrass and everything in between. Bring the entire family to enjoy live music, international performances, children’s entertainment and movies under the stars. Learn more here.
Great Falls Sunday Concerts on the Green
Pack up the family, a blanket, lawn chairs, and a picnic dinner or grab takeout from one of our local restaurants! Join us at the gazebo for a laid-back evening of good music and good times. All concerts take place on Sundays, 6- 8pm, at the Village Centre gazebo. See the full schedule here.
Herndon Friday Night Live! Outdoor Concerts
Friday Night Live! is a FREE outdoor concert series on the Town Green in Herndon. They feature the most popular local acts from up and down the East Coast. Most of the bands play rock and roll covers from classic to modern rock. All ages are welcome!
MCC’s Summer Sunday Concerts in the Park- Begins June 16
Due to the renovation of McLean Central Park, The Alden at the McLean Community Center’s Summer Sunday Concerts in the Park will be held at Lewinsville Park this year. The free concerts will be presented on the porch of the historic house in the park at 4 p.m. on Sundays, June 16 through July 28. The park is located at 1659 Chain Bridge Rd. Parking is available in the neighborhood streets and at McLean High School, 1633 Davidson Rd. Get ready for cozy little concerts for the whole family, with June’s concerts programmed especially for young children. Audience members should bring their own chairs, sunscreen and food and beverages as desired.
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Lake Fairfax New Inline Skate Rink
The inline skate rink at Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston) boasts an 85-foot-by-185-foot rink with player boxes, penalty boxes, hockey goals and bleachers. The rink, constructed with sport floor tiles on an asphalt pad, is ideal for roller hockey and skating, with easy maintenance and modular tile replacement. Learn more about the new rink here.
Fairfax County's Wonder Wagon
The Wonder Wagon is the Fairfax County Park Authority’s mobile nature center designed to promote environmental and nature-based educational programs to underserved areas of Fairfax County. For more information on where the Wonder Wagon is located or to request a Wonder Wagon visit at your next event or gathering.
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Recognize Our Staff Who Go Above and Beyond
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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The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© 2024 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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