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Upcoming Events
February 17: Washington's Birthday and President's Day Holiday; No School
February 18: PTSA Meeting, 7pm, ANG Meeting, 8pm, FHS Library
February 21: Dance Benefit Concert, 7pm, FHS Auditorium
February 25: Band Pre-Assessment Concert, 7pm, Auditorium
February 26: Parents for Safe Teen Driving, 6pm, Auditorium
February 26: U.S. Service Academy/ROTC Night for 8th-11th grades, 7pm in the Commons
February 27: Orchestra Pre-Assessment Concert, 7pm, Auditorium
February 28: Cultural Observance Day: Ramadan begins at Sundown, and continues til March 30.
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Happy Valentine's Day!

February 14, 2025
Lions Roar with Pride: A Week of Kindness, Winning, and Fun!
Dear Lion Family,
What a week it's been at our school! As we continue to embrace the spirit of kindness and celebration, our Lions have been shining in every way possible. Here's a glimpse of all the amazing things happening around our school this week:
Random Acts of Kindness Week kicked off our week with a wave of empathy and care. Our students shared kind words, crafted thoughtful cards, and spread joy through little treats and meaningful gestures. It was heartwarming to witness so many of our Lions showing their compassionate sides and making each other smile.
Our wrestlers truly showcased their hard work and dedication as we hosted the regional competition. We’re thrilled to announce that our talented athletes are headed to states, and we couldn't be more proud of their achievements. Go Lions!
The Swim and Dive team made a splash of their own, with several swimmers earning spots at states! We're excited to cheer them on as they represent our school in the coming week.
We also took a moment this week to celebrate some of our graduating Lions, recognizing their determination and a strong finish. We’re so proud of their journey, and we can’t wait to see the incredible things they will accomplish next!
In honor of CTE Month, our brilliant DECA students hosted a series of fun and engaging team-building activities for DECA Days. From card making to trivia and bracelet making, they came together in creative and meaningful ways.

Included in this issue:
Staff Spotlight
- School Resource Officer Patrick Lynch
Community Spotlight
Calendar Reminders
- President's Day, Feb. 17, No School
- Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, Feb. 12
- Saturday School Dates
Fairfax Lions Need to Know:
- Protect Yourself from the Flu!
- SEL Screener
- Student Fasting Meal Kits
- Black History Month Celebration, New Date: Feb. 19
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
- Fairfax Academy Presents: "Move to Mend" Dance Benefit
- Student Services Information
- U.S. Service Academy & ROTC Night, Feb. 26
- Golf Tournament Registration Now Open!
- District News - In Case You Missed It
- Quick Links
Fairfax HS PTSA
- Donations Needed for ANG Silent Auction
- Meeting Reminders
- Join the PTSA!
Staff Spotlight
School Resource Officer Day, Feb. 15
The SRO assignment is unique within the law enforcement profession. These sworn law enforcement officers fill a three-part role, serving as informal mentors or counselors, law educators, and law enforcement officers to support the students and communities they serve. Here at Fairfax High School, we are proud and grateful to have Officer Patrick Lynch as a valuable and essential member of our community. He and his fellow officers deserve our unwavering respect and support from the public in the pursuit of keeping schools and students safe.
Thank you, Officer Lynch, for all you do for us Lions, every day! We appreciate you!
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Food for Neighbors

Fairfax High School is partnering with Food For Neighbors to help feed our local students who deal with food insecurity outside of school hours. Even in a county as wealthy as Fairfax, one in four kids in our area are struggling with hunger. Food For Neighbors is a local organization addressing this problem by collecting food from our community via the Red Bag Program and donating directly to our local schools. The food is then distributed to the students every week through our food pantry.
We hope you will consider participating in the Red Bag food collection program. You can make a difference in a local student’s life by simply adding a few extra items to your shopping cart every two months.
Here’s how it works:
- Request a reusable Red Bag here and Food For Neighbors will drop it off at your house.
- Fill the Red Bag with food items that are listed on a tag on that bag.
- Put the Red Bag outside your front door in the morning on the next bag collection day.
Collection dates are also listed on the bag tag. And don’t worry, FFN will send reminders. Your Red Bag will be picked up from your house, the food sorted at a local school and delivered directly to the school food pantry at FHS. As an added benefit, you can get a tax deduction for the food that you donate! With your help, even more kids can be fed. For more information on the Red Bag program click here. Visit the FFN FAQ page to find out more and to sign up to volunteer in these two very important roles:
https://www.foodforneighbors.org/about-1/frequently-asked-questions/
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact school parent liaison, Hala Shafik, hshafik@fcps.edu, or school social worker, Kailyn Slade, krslade@fcps.edu, or Karen Joseph, at Karen@foodforneighbors.org.
Thank you for helping us provide food to students who need that extra support! Hunger Is Closer Than You Think! www.FoodForNeighbors.
🗓️Calendar Reminders
Presidents Day Holiday, February 17

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, for the Presidents Day holiday. See the complete school year calendar.
Spanish: Día de los Presidentes (Feriado)Todas las escuelas y oficinas permanecerán cerradas el Lunes, 17 de Febrero por el feriado del Día de los Presidentes. Vea el calendario completo del año escolar.
Korean: 대통령의 날 (공휴일)상기 사항 2월 19일 월요일은 대통령의 날로 모든 학교와 사무실이 휴무입니다. 전체 학년도 일정을 확인하세요.
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February 12 was School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day in Virginia. Take a moment to thank your crossing guard for ensuring that students cross busy streets safely.  |
Saturday School Dates, closed on Feb. 15
Saturday School is held 9am-12pm in the Library. No sign up needed! Snacks provided; transportation is on your own.
Please note that there is NO Saturday School on February 15. The next dates are:
Q3 dates: Feb. 22; March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.
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🤧 Protect Yourself and Your Community from the Flu
 Image Courtesy of Fairfax County Health Dept.
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.
SEL Screener
Learn More About How Your Child Feels at School
The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3-12 in March. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop the skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who do not have a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Student Fasting Meal Kits
Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28Thanks 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.
Black History Month Celebration - Date Change!
FCPS’ Chief Equity Office invites the community to an Inaugural Black History Month Kickoff Celebration on Wednesday, February 19, 5:30-7:30pm, 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.
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
Fairfax Academy Dance Benefit

The Fairfax Academy Dancers are thrilled to announce their upcoming dance benefit concert, Move to Mend, taking place on February 21st at 7:00 PM in the Fairfax High School Auditorium. This special event will showcase talented students from the Academy Dance program, along with alumni and various performers from the community.
Now in its 7th year, this benefit dance concert is proudly presented by the Fairfax Academy for Communications and the Arts. This year's event will benefit the charity Hope to Heal, supporting those in need who are fighting various eating disorders.
Admission is free, and donations will be accepted to support this important cause.
“We are excited to harness the power of dance to raise awareness about eating disorders, which are so prevalent within the entertainment community. Our goal is to promote inclusivity in dance, especially regarding body types, and to raise funds for Project Heal, which provides crucial resources and treatment for individuals in need. We align with Project Heal’s mission to overcome systemic, healthcare, and financial barriers to healing from eating disorders,” said Meredith Barnes, the dance director at the Fairfax Academy.
The Fairfax Academy Dancers will be joined by an array of talented community groups, including Greater Washington Chinese Dance, Center Stage, DanceWorks at Mason, Ballet Embody, 1 PICK, Ash & Elm Dance Company, Helping Hearts Through the Arts, Rhythm and Arts Center, and the West Potomac Academy Dance program.
Student Services Information
Academic Advising Continues!
FHS Academic Advising School Information Rising 10th Grade Students (Class of 2028) - Feb. 13 to Mar. 3 No course request changes between March 24 and May 9 June 6, 2025 – Last day to make changes to course request
FCPS Summer 2025 Online Campus Courses OPEN NOW!
Registration for the Summer 2025 Online Campus courses starts Friday, February 14, 2025, and ends Friday, June 6, 2025. Courses are open to middle and high school students who meet prerequisites.
Paperless Report Cards
We’re excited to offer you a more convenient option for receiving your child’s report cards: Go Paperless!
By choosing to go paperless, you'll be able to:
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Access report cards directly in ParentVUE with just a few clicks.
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Reduce wait time in seeing your child’s report card.
Here's how you can opt-in:
- Log into ParentVUE, click on "My Account," and select “Go Paperless.”
- All parents/guardians living with the student at the same address must have an active SIS ParentVUE account to opt-in.
- Once selected, the “Go Paperless” option will apply to all associated students, no matter their grade level.
- If you’ve already opted for paperless for your secondary students, it will automatically apply to any younger siblings at the elementary level too!
U.S. Service Academy & ROTC Night, Feb. 26

9-11th Grade Parents & Students
Join Fairfax, Madison, Oakton, Marshall and Woodson High Schools for this informative evening…
U.S. Service Academy/ROTC Night
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 @ 7:00 pm
@ Fairfax High School - Cafeteria
Address: 3501 Lion Run, Fairfax, VA 22030
Representatives from the following academies and ROTC Programs are scheduled to attend:
- US Air Force
- US Army (West Point)
- US Navy & Marine Corps
- US Merchant Marine
- US Coast Guard
A representative from Congressman Gerry Connolly’s office will also be there to talk about the nomination process.
The format of the program will be brief (3-5 minute) introductions from each Academy and ROTC Representative, followed by break out tables for students and parents/guardians to ask individual questions.
No registration required. For more information, contact Maureen Kim, FHS College & Career Specialist at MHKim@fcps.edu, or 703-219-2204.
Snow Date: March 6, 2025 @ 7 pm
🏌️♂️Golf Tournament Registration Now Open!

Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2025 FHS Athletic Boosters Golf Tournament! ⛳ Join us on Monday, May 19, at the Country Club of Fairfax for a day of golf, fun, and community—all while raising funds for ALL Fairfax High School athletic teams!
Last year’s event SOLD OUT, so don’t wait! Register early to secure your spot! 🔗 Sign up today at www.fairfaxhighathleticboosters.com
#FHSBoosters #GolfTournament #SupportFairfaxAthletics #FairfaxLions #AthleticsFundraiser
District News - In Case You Missed it
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
Quick Links
District News - In Case You Missed It
throughout the year:
Fairfax HS PTSA
Table of Contents:
- Donations Needed for ANG Silent Auction
- Meeting Reminders
- Join the PTSA!
Donations needed for Online ANG Silent Auction
All Night Grad is holding our annual silent auction and virtual 50/50 raffle this spring and is looking for donations! These can be products, themed baskets, sports tickets, vacations, or business services. A Christmas gift you’re not sure you’ll use? A gift card to a restaurant you don’t frequent? Donate it to support the Class of ‘25! If you or your business have items or services to donate or are willing to solicit items from local businesses, please contact us at ANG@fairfaxptsa.org.
Donating businesses/families can be acknowledged on the silent auction site- including business information like website URL, photos, etc. Stay tuned for the auction link to bid on all of these wonderful items!
PTSA & ANG Meetings on February 18
The next PTSA meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 18th at 7:00pm in the Library. Immediately following, is the ANG (All Night Grad) meeting at 8pm.
Please join us!
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It's Never Too Late to JOIN PTSA
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JOIN the PTSA to support our FHS teachers, students and community! Your member dues and donations work to fund ALL of our activities and programs, help keep you engaged and informed about what is happening in our school community, and provide opportunities to get involved and have fun with other families. Join us! |
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Do you want to celebrate a Fairfax employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way? Or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone. |
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