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All Hornets are capable of success – no exceptions!
In early December, Ms. Hans' and Ms. Hutton's English 12 Comp DE classes took a field trip to The National Portrait Gallery. Museum educators lead us through lessons about how portraits are selected to be displayed in the Portrait Gallery and asked us to think about whose stories make up the fabric of our American identity- and whose are left out, and why. After the field trip, students chose portraits from the Gallery to analyze and make an argument about why the portrait is worthy of inclusion in The National Portrait Gallery.
February 10-18: Rising Junior and ML Level 1 & 2 Sophomore Individual Course Selection Meetings and Sophomore Career Unit Follow-up
February 19 & 20: Discovery Summit, All Day, School-Wide
February 21: Herndon Orchestra’s Spirit Day, 6:00am, Chick-fil-A North Point Village
February 21, 25: Rising Sophomore and ML Level 1 & 2 Freshman Academic Advising Presentation, 4th Pd
February 24-28: Public Schools Week
February 28: Religious and Cultural Observance | Ramadan (begins sundown 2/28 and continues with daily fast and nightly prayer until 3/30)
February 28-March 07: Rising Sophomore and ML Level 1 & 2 Freshman Individual Course Selection
FCPS Standard School Year Calendar for 2024-25
February is Love the Bus Month
Schools and communities across the country come together to honor the iconic yellow school bus and the dedicated drivers who transport millions of students safely each day. This month-long celebration provides a wonderful opportunity to express gratitude and raise awareness about the importance of school transportation. By highlighting the vital role of school buses, Love the Bus month reminds us all of the essential service they
provide, ensuring that every child can access education with safety and reliability
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Discovery Summit
On February 19 & 20, 2025, we are introducing a powerful new opportunity for all Herndon students to participate in a learning conference called the Discovery Summit. This experience is a groundbreaking schoolwide event that will place students in a work-like environment where they have an opportunity to explore new subjects, dive deeper into their learning, receive targeted academic support, recharge their battery, and develop important career and life skills. We welcome you to watch this short introductory video and then review the Discovery Summit Schedule and Activities for the many sessions that are being offered for students on these days. We are so excited to be able to offer such a variety of sessions to help students ignite their passion, improve their performance in school, and discover pathways to future careers!
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.
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.
All of our academic advising and course selection information is available on the Herndon HS > Student Services > Course Selection webpage and a few are listed below.
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February 10-18: Rising Junior and ML Level 1 & 2 Sophomore Individual Course Selection Meetings and Sophomore Career Unit Follow-up
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February 21, 25: Rising Sophomore and ML Level 1 & 2 Freshman Academic Advising Presentation, 4th Pd
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February 28-March 07: Rising Sophomore and ML Level 1 & 2 Freshman Individual Course Selection
Black History Month Kick-Off Celebration (Note: Date Change)
FCPS’ Chief Equity Office invites the community to an Inaugural Black History Month Kickoff Celebration on Wednesday, February 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event begins with a light reception followed by a formal program, From the Threads of Our Past to the Fabric of Our Future. The program will honor the enduring contributions of Black history and culture while envisioning a future rooted in equity and excellence. It will include inspiring performances, personal stories, reflections, and opportunities to connect and celebrate. The event is open to the entire community.
For more information, contact Nina Thomas, senior manager for Professional Learning and Cultural Responsiveness.
🏅 Advisory Committee for Students With Disabilities Seeks Nominations for First-Class Awards
First-Class Awards are presented each year to individuals who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the 2025 First-Class Awards. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students who demonstrate the inclusion of students with disabilities in all facets of education.
Nominees should model excellence in their role relative to special education, have a positive impact that benefits disabled and non-disabled students alike, and be committed to creating an inclusive environment and mindset.
Nominate an administrator, staff member, student, or community partner who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools. Nominations close Wednesday, February 19.
Herndon Orchestra’s Spirit Day at the North Point Village Chick-fil-A
Please support the Herndon Orchestra’s Spirit Day at the North Point Village Chick-fil-A all day Friday, February 21st. 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.
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📝 Application for the 2025 Student Representative to the School Board
The School Board student representative represents the interests of Fairfax County Public Schools students. The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a nonvoting, advisory capacity. Students currently in grades 9, 10, and 11 are eligible to apply.
Watch this video to learn about the student representative experience from the current representative, Megan Sawant.
Application Information and Deadlines
To be considered for the election, students are required to provide:
- A written component, which is due Monday, February 24.
- A 30-second candidate video statement, which is due Wednesday, March 26. Candidates will be emailed a link to record their video on Monday, March 17.
Both application components are required to be considered for the election. Read more about the election process.
Public Schools Week
Public Schools Week is an annual celebration that brings together school leaders, educators, parents & community leaders to recognize the importance of our nation’s public schools.
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Ramadan
Ramadan begins at sundown on Friday, February 28. This day is an evening-only observance day. There is school on these days, but certain activities that cannot be made up can not take place after school. See the complete school year calendar.Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact their child’s principal regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
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Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener
The Spring Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 9-12.during the week of March 17th. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. More information is available about the SEL Screener by accessing this link: https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/student-assessment-details/social-emotional-screener. If you have any questions please reach out to our SEL Screener Lead, Samantha Kramer, at spkramer@fcps.edu.
Dr. Angela Ammerman from George Mason University’s Music Education program came to visit Herndon last week. She worked with both Chamber and Concert Orchestras which was the perfect halfway point in their assessment preparations.
Library News
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Pleasure Reading. Snow days make great reading days! Encourage your students to curl up with a hot cocoa and a good book after shoveling the sidewalk. There may be more weather on the horizon, but I there is still time to come check out some reading material. If the West Entrance of the library (near the Tech Offices) is unlocked and a member of the library staff is present, students may come in. Your student can check with us if they would like to stay later than the posted hours: we are often open longer.
- Mondays -- 7:30 - 3:30
- Tuesdays -- 7:30 - 3:00
- Wednesdays -- 7:30 - 4:30
- Thursdays -- 7:30 - 4:30
- Fridays -- 7:30 - 3:00
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Research Help. The librarians are offering research help during Stingers. If any students need help completing their research, encourage them to use Securly to write an eHall Pass to Library Help, we’ll be ready for them when they arrive. Of course, they are always welcome, and we are always willing to help. See hours above.
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Volunteers Needed! If you’d like to volunteer in the library, we would love to have your help! Please email HHS_library@fcps.edu. Come hang out at the best place in the school! Whether you are looking for a recurring volunteer slot or you have just an hour to serve, we would appreciate your time and effort.
Senior & Underclassmen End of the Year Calendar
The Senior & Underclassmen End of the Year Calendar is now available. The calendar shows the dates for senior and underclassmen final exam/assessments and senior culminating events. Click here for details.
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All Night Grad - February 2025 Newsletter
Dear Herndon Parents,
Let’s give our seniors a night to remember! All Night Grad is a huge party following graduation. It’s a great way for graduates to celebrate together one last time.
We need your support to make this event a success! Click on the picture to access the newsletter for ticket info, fundraising events, sponsorship opportunities and others ways to get involved.
HHS All Night Grad Committee
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Breaking Down the Budget: Investing in Our Classrooms
Did you know that more than 85% of FCPS’ budget stays in our classrooms? Currently, 92.5% of FCPS staff are school-based, more than neighboring school districts. We are in the middle of FCPS’ annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback. Learn more about the proposed FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget and see the budget timeline.
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🏗️ FCPS’ Construction Projects Offer Community-Wide Benefits
The Fairfax County School Board approved the annual update to FCPS’ FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at their regular board meeting last week. A CIP is a working budget document that shows the timing and costs of improvement to school buildings, such as renovations, additions, and new schools. Learn more about planned improvements. Fairfax County Public Schools’ updated plans for new school construction, capacity enhancements, and renovations are outlined in the CIP. Projects include constructing two new elementary schools; renovations at 18 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools; and relocation of modular buildings.
🤧 Protect Yourself and Your Community From the Flu
Fairfax County is experiencing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. The Fairfax County Health Department reports that visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings. Read a letter from the health department.
The health department suggests taking the following steps to reduce the spread of flu and other germs:
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Cover coughs and sneezes. If you must be around others while ill, wearing a mask can help reduce spread.
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Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available (with supervision for younger children).
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Clean frequently touched surfaces.
According to the health department, to help prevent or reduce the spread of illness it is important for individuals who are sick to stay home and away from others until symptoms improve and until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours. Visit this Attendance webpage for guidance on when your child should go to school.
Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28
Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day.Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student.To receive meal kits for Friday, February 28, and the week of March 3, please submit the first request form by Monday, February 24. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Flu Prevention
- Students Spread Joy
- Investing in our Classrooms
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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