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Discovery Summit
On February 19 & 20, 2025, Herndon held it’s first learning conference called the Discovery Summit. Students explored new subjects, dove deeper into their learning, received targeted academic support, recharged their battery, and developed important career and life skills.
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
March 01: First Full Day of Ramadan (begins sundown 2/28 and continues with daily fast and nightly prayer until 3/30)
March 05: Ash Wednesday
March 05: Orthodox Ash Wednesday
March 20: Nowruz
March 28: End of Third Quarter
FCPS Standard School Year Calendar for 2024-25
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.
📝 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.
Discovery Summit
Pictures of our students fully participating in the Discovery Summit held on February 19 & 20, 2025.
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.
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: Supporting Academic Growth and Algebra by Eighth Grade
The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
Since the 2023-24 school year, FCPS has seen a 9.5% increase in eighth graders taking Algebra I or more advanced math and a 6.8% increase in fifth graders in advanced math.
Studies show that students who complete algebra in middle school have more opportunities to take advanced math and science courses in high school. This can open up new academic paths for students! Watch a video that shows why eighth grade algebra matters.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget.
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Discovery Summit
Pictures of our students fully participating in the Discovery Summit held on February 19 & 20, 2025.
Become Unskippable: Practical Guidance for Talking With Teens About Fentanyl
Teens skip things that don't interest them, including lectures from their parents. But young people die from fentanyl overdoses in Fairfax County each year — so it's important to have short, impactful talks with your teen, whether or not you think they’re at risk.
As a parent or caregiver, you have the power to become “unskippable” and talk with your teen in a way they will listen.
See our tips for talking with your teen about fentanyl and other difficult subjects. Watch this video to learn more about becoming unskippable.
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📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
💻 Hazel Health: Virtual Therapy for High School Students
Teletherapy services are available for all FCPS high school students at no cost. Sessions can be scheduled Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Hazel Health’s highly qualified therapists specialize in working with teens. Learn more on FCPS’ teletherapy webpage.
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:
- Middle School Start Times
- New Lunch Items
- Talking to Teens About Tough Topics
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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