Week of January 6

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 01/06/2025 04:15 PM EST

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Snow Day

.

Fairfax County public schools and central offices will be closed January 7, 2025. Additional information available on the FCPS website.

.

In This Issue:

.

Calendar

January 06: Religious and Cultural Observance | Three Kings Day/Epiphany

January 07: Religious and Cultural Observance | Orthodox Christmas

January 08, 09: Days of Academic Focus, All Day, School Wide

January 09: Electives Fair, 4th Period, School Wide

January 09: Curriculum Night, 6:30 pm, Main Street and Auditorium

January 09: Senior Meeting and Returning Grad Panel, 4th Period, Auditorium

January 13 & 15: Rising Senior and ML Level 1 & 2 Junior Academic Advising Presentations, 4th period, Various Locations

January 19: Religious and Cultural Observance | Orthodox Epiphany

FCPS Standard School Year Calendar for 2024-25

.

Events

Three Kings Day/Epiphany

.

FCPS has designated Three Kings Day/Epiphany as a religious and cultural observance day. There is school on these days, however specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.

Orthodox Christmas

.

FCPS has designated Orthodox Christmas as a religious and cultural observance day. There is school on these days, however specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.

📋Course Selection Begins This Month

Beginning in this month, students will meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for next year. Families are encouraged to actively participate in this important process. 

As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:

  • Current academic strengths and habits.
  • Graduation requirements (high school students).
  • Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
  • Personal well-being.
  • Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.

📋Academic Advising and Course Selection

Academic advising and course selection begins soon! Starting this month, students will meet individually with their teachers and school counselor to discuss and choose their courses for the 2025-26 school year. It is so important that parents and students are informed of their academic options. Families are encouraged to talk with current teachers for their feedback for next school year. Just like last year, students will choose classes via their SIS Student accounts. After the students choose their courses via their accounts, they will meet with their school counselor to confirm the selections. In January, parents can view the course selections via their SIS ParentVue account. If you do not have an active account, please contact our Registrar or a Family Liaison in Student Services to obtain a login.

It is important for students to choose a course load that will challenge them and help prepare them for their post-secondary endeavors while also allowing for balance with their extracurricular and personal commitments. We take academic advising and course selection seriously and encourage students to base their choices on their strengths and interests and with their plans for life after high school in mind. 

During the first week in January we will hold events to help students in their  selection of appropriate courses for next school year. A list of events is available on the Herndon HS > Student Services > Course Selection webpage and a few are listed below.  

  • January 8 & 9: Academic Days of Focus
  • January 8: Rising Freshman Academic Advising Presentation at Herndon MS (Virtual) (Snow Date TBD)
  • January 8: Rising Freshman Academic Advising Presentation at Langston Hughes (In-Person) (Snow Date TBD)
  • January 9: Electives Fair, 4th Period, School Wide
  • January 9: Curriculum Night, 6:30pm, Auditorium & Main Street
  • January 9: Senior Class Meeting and Returning Grad Panel, 4th period, Auditorium
  • January 9: Rising Freshman Academic Advising Meetings with School Counselors, Rachel Carson MS
  • January 13 & 15: Rising Senior and ML Level 1 & 2 Junior Academic Advising Presentations, 4th period, Various Locations
  • January 15: Rising Freshman Academic Advising Presentation at St Joseph School (In-Person)
  • January 21-28: Rising Senior Individual Academic Advising Meetings

📋Days of Academic Focus 

.

 

On Wednesday, January 8, 2025 and Thursday, January 9, 2025 all teachers will meet individually with their students during class to provide feedback on next year’s course options for their subject. As teachers meet with students, discussion topics will include: course options the student will enjoy, the student’s academic interests and abilities,  expectations for that next course and level, and course sequencing. Students will be assigned to complete a Reflection in Schoology after each teacher feedback conference. Teachers will have students complete an independent assignment while the conferences are being held. Snow dates are January 9th and/or 10th.

📋Electives Fair

.

 

The Electives Fair will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025 during 4th period. The Electives Fair is an opportunity for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students to visit four different elective classes and hear presentations to help them with their course selections for next year. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions of teachers. This event will give students a chance to explore the entire range of advanced academic and elective courses that will be offered at Herndon High School next year.

📋Curriculum Night

.

 

Curriculum Night will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025 beginning at 6:30pm on Main Street at Herndon High School. This is an opportunity for students and parents to learn about the different classes by meeting teachers in that specific subject area. While the focus is for rising ninth grade students, all families are welcome! At 6:00pm, there will be a presentation in the auditorium regarding advanced academics and Standards Based Grading. Snow date is January 15, 2025.

📋Graduation Requirements and Planning

Careful consideration is essential when planning next year's courses. We encourage our students and families to review the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond. Reviewing the Program of Studies may be helpful as well. 

Please refer to our course catalog and course selection for more information.

🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January!

FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in January.

A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.

Learn more and view the calendar of Academy Open Houses.

📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

Boundary

 

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received.  If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in a virtual meeting:

  • Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m. 
  • Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m. 
  • Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m. 
  • Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
  • Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

Language interpretation will be available. 

All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

Orthodox Epiphany

.

FCPS has designated Orthodox Epiphany as a religious and cultural observance day. There is school on these days, however specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.

🎓Class of 2025 Announcements, Merchandise and More

Attention Senior Families:  Here is information on how to order graduation announcements, Class of 2025 merchandise and more.

https://lms.fcps.edu/attachment/3080932616/source/ca65784ed673d91ee9d00a4a7ba23004.pdf

Please remember to pay your senior fee through My School Bucks By January 28, 2025. This covers your cap and gown, senior T shirt, panoramic picture, Senior Cook Out and other events and graduation expenses. Thank you for your help with this !

Volunteers for Science Fair

The Herndon High School Science Department is looking for volunteers for Science Fair Judging. A background in science is not necessary. The science fair will take place at Herndon High School on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 from 3:15 pm to around 6pm. If you would like to volunteer, please fill out the google form below. We appreciate your consideration! Sincerely, Katharine Page https://tinyurl.com/hhsscifair25

.

Information

❄️ Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings

Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions. 

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform. 

⛄Student and Family Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

 

 

 

Resources

Quick Links