Community Conversations Continue, The Power of School Lunches

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 10/09/2024 07:00 PM EDT
students playing with a hose while gardening


Students harvest vegetables in the Irving Middle School courtyard.

đź’™ Thank You, Principals, for Inspiring and Supporting Our Communities

principal smiling with students


October is National School Principals Month. We celebrate our dedicated school leaders who play an essential role in shaping their communities and paving pathways for success for each and every student and staff member in their schools. 

At the 2024 FCPS Honors ceremony, Raven Jones, principal of Luther Jackson Middle School (pictured in the center above) was named Outstanding New Principal. Jamie Gadley, principal of Dranesville Elementary School, was named Outstanding Principal. Learn why these leaders were nominated by their peers for this recognition.

🏆 Five Schools Win Exemplar Awards

Five Fairfax County public schools have been awarded a 2024 Virginia Board of Education Exemplar Award. Two schools received the Highest Achievement Exemplar Award. Three received both the Continuous Improvement Exemplar Award, and the Continuous Improvement Graduation and Completion Index and Dropout Rate Exemplar Award. Read more about these honored schools.

Students Earn 2023-24 AP Capstone Diploma and AP Seminar and Research Certificates

Sixty-nine Fairfax County Public Schools students earned the Advanced Placement (AP) ® Capstone Diploma and 19 earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™ during the 2023-24 school year. See a list of the students. 

✨ The availability of and enrollment in advanced, rigorous coursework and programs is part of the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity.

đź“– Virtual Lexia Parent Information Night

Learn more about Lexia® Core5 and Lexia® PowerUp at a parent information night. Discover how FCPS uses Lexia in classrooms to support students’ literacy growth. Presenters will also share tips for improving your child’s literacy. Sessions will take place: 

  • Tuesday, October 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, November 19, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

Register in advance. For more information, contact Theresa Lieteau.

Other Ways to Support Your Child’s Learning Needs

You are important in your child’s education. The Family Academy keeps a list of classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by Fairfax County Public Schools to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings. 

✨ Helping students read on level by the end of third grade is part of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence. One of the strategic plan pillars is vibrant home and school partnerships.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!

Dr. Reid speaks into a microphone to an audience


Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the remaining conversations:

Events are from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

🍱 Celebrating the Power of School Lunches

student smiling while eating an apple


Multiple studies show that school lunches are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school lunches consume more fruit, vegetables, and fiber than their peers. 

Next week is National School Lunch Week, and FCPS Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, student-focused, and culturally inclusive meals. New menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback.

x marks the tray photo

X Marks the Tray 

Students can participate in X Marks the Tray on Wednesday, October 16. Lucky students at each school will find a sticker on a hot entree container. They can redeem it for a whole grain sweet treat with their meal!

New Printable Menus

Want to know what’s for breakfast or lunch? Nutrition Services now has printable menus available.

FCPS Ombuds Staff Are Here to Hear You

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 every member of the FCPS community. The team works 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/caregivers to improve communication with teachers and schools.
  • Help resolve disagreements involving employees in the workplace or disagreements between parents/caregivers and schools.
  • Provide ideas to foster parent/caregiver 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.

Encouraging Students to Care for One Another

Dr. Reid talks to student

Dr. Reid shares some of her activities from last week in her latest Weekly Reflections, including her visit to Cunningham Park Elementary School. While there, she met Ruth (pictured here), who designed a program for sixth graders to mentor first graders. Learn more about Ruth and other observations from Dr. Reid’s week in Weekly Reflections. Subscribe now. 

✨ Student participation in leadership activities is part of our Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.

đź“š Opportunity to Review Social Studies Classroom Resources

FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Part of the process for selecting new resources is a public review of the materials being considered. This step is currently underway. Visit the community review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person. 

All community feedback will be shared with the School Board before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.

🗓️ Calendar Reminders

See the complete school year calendar.

Yom Kippur/Evening-Only Observance Day

Friday, October 11, will be an evening-only observance day for Yom Kippur. There are classes that day, but important events will not occur after school.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Staff Development Day

Monday, October 14, is a student holiday and staff development day for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

School Board Meeting Thursday, October 10, at 7 p.m.

School board desk


The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, October 10, at 7 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:

  • Strategic Plan Update
  • Advisory Committee Appointments
  • Awarding of Contracts

View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.

Title IX Notice

Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to a learning and working environment free from all forms of discrimination and does not tolerate acts of sex-based or gender-based misconduct:

  • Any student who believes that they have been subjected to sex-based or gender-based misconduct, any parent of such a student, or any student who believes that another student is being subjected to sex-based or gender-based misconduct is encouraged to report the misconduct to FCPS, specifically to their school principal.
  • Any administrator who believes that a student is being subjected to sex-based or gender-based misconduct is required to report such suspected misconduct to the school principal.

FCPS conducts prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations into any such reports. Interim measures will be available to students who have alleged sex-based or gender-based misconduct and students who are accused of sex-based or gender-based misconduct – including but not limited to: separation pending the outcome of an investigation, counseling, and educational resources.

When an investigation reveals that sexual misconduct created a sexually hostile environment, FCPS will take prompt and effective steps to end the misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effect – including continuing the interim measures as necessary to protect the reporting student and ensure his or her safety. Students found to engage in acts of sex-based misconduct or other acts that create a hostile environment will be dealt with promptly, and discipline may include, but is not limited to, suspension or expulsion. FCPS encourages students, parents, and staff to work together to prevent sex-based or gender-based misconduct of any kind.

For more information about the FCPS Title IX Process and Response, please contact:

FCPS Title IX Coordinator
Chief Equity Office
8115 Gatehouse Road
Falls Church, VA 22042
Phone: 571-423-3070
Website: fcps.edu/title-ix
Email: titleixcoordinator@fcps.edu    

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