Poplar Tree Assistant Principal Amy Alley works on literacy skills with a first grade student.
đź“š Supporting Academic Growth and Reading on Level by Grade 3
The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
Across FCPS, teachers, staff, parents, and even older students are invested in helping our youngest learners grow their love of reading from a strong foundation.
The goal is for students to move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” by the end of the third grade. Reading on grade level is connected to other Strategic Plan goals, including completing advanced coursework and graduating on time.
Establishing Strong Foundations in Reading
Last fall, FCPS introduced a new reading curriculum that emphasizes the science of reading. Between fall and winter, reading screener results show more than a 4% increase in the number of students in kindergarten to third grade approaching or meeting expectations. Similarly, 3.4% more third graders demonstrate strong foundations of reading, and 8.4% more third graders are mastering grade-level standards.
Discover how an elementary school employs a science-based approach, including phonics, to supercharge students' reading.
The Strategic Plan Goal 3 Report was presented to the School Board at its last meeting.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Advertised Budget.
Budget Status and Next Steps
The School Board adopted the FY 2026 Advertised Budget at its meeting on Thursday, February 20. They participated in a joint meeting with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors earlier this evening at the Fairfax County Government Center. View the Budget Development Calendar to stay up to date.
Our Strategic Plan in Action
In her latest Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid shared how she saw the Strategic Plan being implemented at Kings Park Elementary School. During her visit to the school, a team of second grade teachers was planning their next lesson in Benchmark. Read more about her visit, and the rest of her week, in Weekly Reflections.
✨ Students reading on grade level by the end of third grade is part of FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence.
đź“– Jumpstarting Their Future
At the February 20 School Board meeting, Dr. Reid shared information on Career and Technical Education programs. In 2023-24, FCPS students earned more than 14,000 credentials through CTE. Watch Dr. Reid's presentation on CTE. Learn more about the programs available through FCPS CTE.
✨ The availability of, accessibility to, and student enrollment in coursework in the arts, STEAM, career and technical education, trades, and technology are part of FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity.
Be a Lifesaver. Donate Blood.
The Office of Facilities Management will host a blood drive at the Sideburn Support Center on Thursday, March 6. Everyone who donates or attempts to donate will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two prizes. Schedule your donation. For more information, email Jackie Roseman.
🌸 Bloom into Spring With North TIER Professional Development
Now is the perfect time to cultivate your professional development with North TIER. Earn credit toward salary advancement at a price that won’t break the bank.
North TIER offers high-quality online courses for just $55 for 30 hours of valuable learning. Through a graduate credit option, learners can earn two graduate credits from Colorado State University with additional work and fees.
Explore our course catalog, registration details, and more. Seats are limited! Register now and make this spring a season of growth and achievement. If you have any questions, please contact Aron Sterling.
🥪 Easy Tech, Big Impact: Lunch and Learn Series
Learn how Universal Design for Learning (UDL), inclusive practices, technology, and accessibility play together at a new lunch and learn series. Bring lunch for a bite-sized learning experience to explore simple yet powerful tech tools for enhancing student engagement while ensuring accessibility for all learners.
This 30-minute interactive session will focus on using common tools, including AI, to ensure that learning materials include accessible text to help learners use translation, read-aloud, and other inclusive technology tools.
Rachel Connelly, assistive technology coach, and Mollie Kropp, educational specialist, accessibility, will present the session. It is Part 1 of a lunch and learn series called Easy Tech, Big Impact. Register now in MyPDE.
Superintendent's Boundary Review Advisory Committee Meeting: Key Takeaways and More
The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee met on Friday, February 21, at Gatehouse Administration Center. Visit our website to access key takeaways, the agenda, slides, and other materials that were shared at the meeting.
You may also learn about the comprehensive boundary review process and subscribe to the School Boundary Review newsletter.
🌼 We Honor You: FCPS Retirement Ceremony Scheduled for April 30
FCPS celebrates our retirees’ careers, legacies, and accomplishments at our annual retirement ceremony, We Honor You — Celebrating Your Service to FCPS. This year’s event will be held on Wednesday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m., at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Those planning to retire should submit their Notification of Resignation-Retirement form (HR-2) as soon as possible. Invitations will be mailed soon to those who retired after the spring 2024 retirement recognition and those who plan to retire before December 31, 2025. Please email questions to WeHonorYou@fcps.edu.
🌄 Join the Coast to Coast Wellness Challenge Today
The Coast to Coast Wellness Challenge runs Monday, March 3, through Sunday, March 30. It’s open to any FCPS employee. Registration closes on Monday, March 10. Register today as an individual or team of up to five.
This four-week virtual road trip from the East to the West Coast explores iconic destinations. Log physical activity, complete healthy behaviors, earn points, collect stickers, uncover fun facts, and win prizes along the way.
The top 10 individuals with the highest weekly participation will win a $25 gift card. The top three elementary, middle, and high schools, and three centers with the highest participation, will win a $500 gift card.
If you have any questions, please email EmployeeWellness@fcps.edu.
|
🗓️ Calendar Reminders: Ramadan
Happy Public Schools Week!
February 24-28 is designated as Public Schools Week — an annual week-long celebration to honor the contributions and achievements of educators and education advocates in our public schools and the communities they serve. Thank you for supporting this important work every day, because at FCPS, we like to think that every week is Public Schools Week!
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 cannot take place after school. See the complete school year calendar or employee calendar.
Staff Staples
Note: Some links in this email require a connection to the FCPS network. If you have any questions, please visit the FCPS Tech Support Portal to search for self help articles or submit a ticket.
Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Thank you!
|
