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National Hispanic Heritage Month
 From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Click on the graphic to learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
September 15-October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 19 & 20: School Picture Day
September 20: Herndon Orchestra’s First Spirit Day, All Day, North Point Village Chick-fil-A
September 21-29: Blue Star Welcome Week
September 28: Financial Aid Night, 6:30 pm, Auditorium
October 03: Holiday | Rosh Hashanah (begins sundown 10/2 - sundown 10/4)
October 04: Student Holiday | Teacher Workday
October 11: Religious and Cultural Observance | Yom Kippur (begins sundown 10/11 - sundown 10/12)
October 14: Student Holiday | Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Staff Development Day)
FCPS Standard School Year Calendar for 2024-25
School Picture Day is Coming!
📅 Date: Thursday, September 19th & Friday, September 20th 2024
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001132450#login
📸 Images Available: Approximately two-three weeks after picture day
📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at underclass@vosphoto.com
*We are also in need of a few parent volunteers to help Picture Day run smoothly. If you are willing and able to volunteer on one or both days, please email Grace Choi, yearbook adviser, at gechoi@fcps.edu.
Herndon Orchestra’s First Spirit Day
 Please support the Herndon Orchestra’s First Spirit Day at the North Point Village Chick-fil-A all day Friday, September 20th. The orchestra boosters will receive a percentage back to support the orchestra program. Mention Spirit Day in person or use the code ORCHESTRA (all caps) when ordering in the app. Additional information available here.
Blue Star Welcome Week
Blue Star Welcome Week, September 21-29, is an opportunity to empower military families to thrive as they serve. There are approximately 13,500 military-connected students enrolled in FCPS. Each year, one-third of our military families transition into or out of our district. Blue Star Welcome Week gives schools an opportunity to welcome and connect with their military families. The goal is to create a sense of belonging and ensure that our military families feel celebrated and welcomed into their school communities.
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PSAT/NMSQT/SAT School Day Schedule and Pre-Survey Opt-Out
On Wednesday, October 9, tenth and eleventh grade students will be taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) exam, and all registered twelfth grade students will be participating in SAT School Day.
School Day Schedule
All FCPS high schools will operate on a two-hour early release schedule. High school academy courses and all high school shuttles will be canceled on this day.
Transportation
FCPS transportation is available for all students participating in the PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day. Regular bus routes will be provided in the morning and after the early release. Families of students requiring alternate transportation arrangements due to accommodate testing will be contacted directly by the PSAT Coordinator or SAT School Day Coordinator .
Pre-Survey
Prior to test day, students will complete a digital readiness check during an advisory lesson at school. During the digital readiness check, students will see a voluntary pre-survey that asks questions about a variety of topics. You may opt out of this pre-survey for your student. Additional information about the content of the pre-survey and how to opt out can be found on the SAT and PSAT Pre-Survey Opt-Out Policy webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/node/36639.
If you choose to opt your student out of the pre-survey, please notify our Assessment Coach, Dr. Karl Gussow at ksgussow@fcps.edu by Monday, September 22, 2024, and include your student’s full legal name and FCPS ID number in the email. Please be sure to talk to your student about your opt out choice so your student knows they should not answer the survey questions during the digital readiness check.
Grade 9 Students
During the PSAT/SAT School Day, most ninth grade students will have an unscheduled school day and not attend school. On this day, ninth grade students are encouraged to complete any missing work or assignments that need to be completed prior to the end of the first quarter.
Please note that ninth grade students with disabilities taught on an adapted curriculum (students receiving low incidence special education services) will continue to receive in-person instruction with a 2-hour early release on October 9.
If you have questions about the PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day administration, please contact, our Assessment Coach, Dr. Karl Gussow at ksgussow@fcps.edu.
🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions.
The next event is scheduled for Monday, September 23, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Newington Forest Elementary School. Click on the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
Financial Aid Night
HERNDON and SOUTH LAKES High School Seniors & Families (Juniors Welcome!)
Director of Financial Aid at Loudoun NOVA, Jack Zeeger, will present on all aspects of FAFSA and paying for college. Topics to be covered include: understanding financial aid, how the financial aid process works, and the steps that families need to take to secure financial aid. Spanish and English session.
- September 26, 2024 at 7:00 – 8:30 pm
- Herndon HS, 700 Bennett Street, Door 1
- English Session: Auditorium
- Spanish Session: Lecture Hall
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Please RSVP: https://forms.gle/DEjUzPjKx9WR1qcK8
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2. That day is an evening-only O day, and important events will not be held after school.
Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed.
Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students. See the complete school year calendar
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🌍 Receive Credit for Proficiency in Languages
This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school.
The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.
Registration opens on Wednesday, September 4, at 8 a.m., and closes on Friday, October 4, at 4 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted. Please contact your student’s school counselor to register for the exam.
Find more information, including the list of eligible languages.
Walk and Roll to School Day
FCPS will participate in International Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 9, in an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools.Students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work where safe to do so. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to school, and to work with their school and PTA or PTO to assemble bike trains or walking groups for the event. Schools are encouraged to register online with Walk and Bike to School. Get more information about Walk to School Day.
Yom Kippur
Friday, October 11, will be an evening-only observance day for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. There is school that day, but important events will not occur after school. See the complete school year calendar.
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Ombuds Day
Office of the Ombuds staff engage with families, students, and staff to offer resources, assist in settling conflicts, and raise concerns to improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
The ombuds is available to:
- Share strategies for parents to improve communication with, and between, school and home.
- Help resolve disagreements between parents and schools or disagreements involving employees in the workplace.
- Provide ideas to foster parent participation in Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan meetings.
Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present. Monday, October 14, is a student holiday and staff development day. See the complete school year calendar.
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Yearbooks For Sale!
Yearbooks are now available for purchase on yearbookordercenter.com! Our school code is 8967. Books start at $65. Students receiving free/reduced lunch can pick up an order form in the main office to purchase a yearbook at a reduced cost.
Senior ads for sale! Families of seniors can now purchase senior ads for the yearbook! Please go to yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 8967 to feature your child in this year’s book!
Free and Reduced Meals
ALL freshmen are currently on the Free and Reduced Meals list because all of Herndon Middle was granted that last year. These students will remain on until October when the year resets. It is extremely important that they apply before October to ensure that they have no break in service and continue (if they qualify) to receive the benefits. The application can be accessed at https://www.fcps.edu/frm.
✔️ Parent/Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?
We understand that the multiple school forms caregivers receive during the first weeks of school can feel overwhelming, but each one helps set your child up for a successful school year! If you do not have a SIS ParentVUE account, please contact the front office for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
🤒 When a Student Should Stay Home From School
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.
Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
🩹 Immunization Requirements
Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.
You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to [SCHOOL NAME] front office.
Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:
- A healthcare provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
- A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with religious tenets or practices.
Find more information on immunizations.
📋 Permission Forms
Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool.
Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Monday, September 30.
🍽️Fueling Student Success: New Food Options Cooked up at FCPS
Students will have more than a dozen new options for lunch and breakfast in school cafeterias starting this week. New menu items were either favorites at last year’s food show — including Korean BBQ wings, sweet Thai chili wings, chicken tikka masala, and barbacoa street tacos — or were tested with student focus groups and tastings.
View our school menu to see all the new options and when they will become available.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, Empowered
The Office of Food and Nutrition Services' updates to lunch menus align with FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal #2 - Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered. The new menu options reflect the many voices and cultures represented around every FCPS lunch table!
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
As part of the second goal, we want each and every student to feel like they belong and have the support they need to thrive. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice.
💻 No-Cost Mental Online Therapy for All High School Students
Is your high schooler experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? Do they seem withdrawn or uninterested in their usual hobbies?
Parents/caregivers can refer their children for free weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the FCPS’ Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.
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