Week of March 10


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Black History Month Celebration



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Herndon's First Annual African American Read-In Day was held on Friday, February 14, 2025. Established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English, African American Read-In Day encourages communities to read together, focusing on books by and about African Americans. This initiative helps make literacy a central part of Black History Month. Additionally, members of our local and business community joined our students for readings and table talks.

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In This Issue:



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Calendar



March 10: Coffee for Dollars, Weird Brother

March 17: SEL Screener Administration

March 19: College Night for Sophomores and Juniors, 6:30 - 7:45 pm, Auditorium 

March 20: Nowruz

March 28: End of Third Quarter

March 31: Holiday | Eid al-Fitr (begins sundown 3/30 – sundown 3/31)

April 01: Student Holiday (Teacher Work Day for Staff) 

April 01: Chipotle Fundraiser for the Guitar Program, 5:00-9:00 pm, 12152 Sunset Hills Road Reston, VA 20190

April 12: Religious and Cultural Observance | First evening of Passover (begins sundown 4/12 - sundown 4/20)
April 13: Theravada New Year

FCPS Standard School Year Calendar for 2024-25

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Events



Celebrating Arts in Our Schools

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March has also been designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the benefits that school music brings to students of all ages.

Theatre In Our Schools (TIOS) is a celebration of theatre in our schools and schools in our theatres. Sponsored by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE) and the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), the goals of TIOS are to raise public awareness of the impact of theatre education and draw attention to the need for more access to quality programs in and out of school for all students. While TIOS presentations and advocacy may happen anytime in schools, theatres, and other public spaces, AATE and EdTA will recognize and promote March as the official Theatre In Our Schools month.


Coffee for Dollars

Coffee

Need some coffee after Daylight Savings Time begins? Please support the Herndon Orchestra with their Coffee for Dollars fundraiser with Weird Brothers Coffee on Monday, March 10th!

Show this flyer and a generous portion of all proceeds benefit Herndon High School Orchestra. You drink coffee, they benefit! (Show the printed or digital flyer at checkout.)


2025 Family Summit - Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging! (an Extension of the Special Education Conference)

Families, educators, and community members are invited to the 2025 FCPS Family Summit: Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging. Fairfax County Public Schools will be hosting the free, in-person event in collaboration with valued community partners. The summit will be held Saturday, March 15, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School.

This event will feature: 

  • Opening Session: Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak — best-selling authors, motivational speakers, and advocates for inclusion — will share practical tools and evidence-based strategies to empower and assist all families, with a special emphasis on parents of students with individual education programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
  • Breakout Sessions: Learn more about special education and global topics that benefit all families.
  • Student Showcase: FCPS students will share their efforts in fostering inclusivity through posters, essays, videos, songs, art, and other mediums.
  • Exhibitor Hall: Discover valuable resources and services in the community to support families.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with other families, staff, and community partners.

Childcare will be provided. Special education staff will be available to care for children with high support needs. You may sign up for childcare during the registration process

Learn more about this event and register today! Contact FamilySummit@fcps.edu for more information.


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.


Virtual Presentations on Financial Aid for Military Families

College Access Fairfax will hold two sessions on financial aid hosted by the lead financial educator and military benefits liaison from the Navy Mutual Aid Association. 

Topics will include:

  • Residency Requirements 
  • Using the GI Bill
  • The Yellow Ribbon Program
  • Using Chapter 35 (DEA benefits)
  • Military scholarships and grants
  • Virginia Education Programs

Sessions will be held Tuesday, March 18, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 22, at 10 a.m. Click on the date to register. Contact info@CollegeAccessFairfax.org to learn more.


College Night for Sophomores and Juniors 

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New this year! COLLEGE/POST-SECONDARY NIGHT FOR SOPHOMORE & JUNIOR STUDENTS/PARENTS – March 19th at 6:30pm in HHS Auditorium.  Jason Puryear of ECMC The College Place and Lauren McGregor of GMU will present.  Topics include:  Why education beyond high school is important, Options for after high school, Benefits of further education, Costs of different options, Choosing, researching, comparing your options, Paying for college or post-secondary education (FAFSA and Scholarships), Getting organized. PLUS, the first 130 students attending will be eligible for the $1000 scholarship drawing.  Drawing held at the end of the presentation.  The student must be present for the presentation to win. Flyer for the event is available here


Quarter End, Eid al-Fitr, and Student Holiday

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Friday, March 28, is the last day of the third quarter. It is a full day of school for students. 

All FCPS schools and offices are closed on Monday, March 31, for Eid al-Fitr. Tuesday, April 1, is a student holiday and teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.


Chipotle Fundraiser for Guitar Program

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Chipotle fundraiser for Herndon High School Guitar Program 

25% of event sales get donated to the cause on Tuesday, April 1st from 5:00 to 9:00 pm

12152 Sunset Hills Road Reston, VA 20190

Order online for pickup using code EKBKCZ6 or show this flyer in the restaurant.


Easter Egg Hunt

Grace Loves Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 19 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at London Towne Elementary School on 6100 Stone Road, Centreville, VA. Free food, drinks, and much more. Text EGGHUNT to 82155 to register. Activities for all ages. Baskets will be provided. Flyers available in English and Spanish.

This event is not sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or this school. 

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Black History Month Celebration



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Cultural Day was held on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Staff members celebrated their heritage by wearing culturally representative attire. This day was to promote cultural appreciation, global awareness, inclusivity, heritage preservation, and provides a form of academic enrichment for students.

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Information



Library News

  • Ramadan
    We are happy to welcome students celebrating Ramadan. The library offers a place to come pray or simply a place to hang out during lunch that isn’t the cafeteria. All students are welcome in the library!
  • 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.
  • Literary Hat Trick
    Encourage your students to participate in our March Literary Hat Trick Challenge. Stop by and fill out a pledge to read 3 of any similar texts, (3 books in a series, 3 picture books, 3 poems, 3 Virginia Reader’s Choice books, you get the idea). We’re offering a treat for completion during the month of March

Developing a Strong Academic Foundation, Curiosity, and Joy for Learning

2025 FCPS Budget Banner

 

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

A strong start for every student is Goal 1 of the Strategic Plan. Pre-K classrooms are making a difference in our community. In this video, we explore the importance of bringing children under the age of five together, regardless of abilities.

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Advertised Budget. View the Budget Development Calendar to stay up to date and learn about opportunities to provide feedback to Fairfax County and FCPS.


💬 Share Your Input on the County Budget

The Fairfax County government presented its Fiscal Year 2026 Advertised Budget Plan to the Board of Supervisors on February 18. The community is invited to share feedback through an online survey, email, phone calls, or by attending Budget Town Hall meetings

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Black History Month Celebration



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Herndon Black History Month celebration included daily Black History announcements delivered by students in English and Spanish, black history posters displayed throughout the building, Herndon's First Annual African American Read-In Day, Herndon's First Discovery Summit featured Black History trivia and a screening of "Remember the Titans," Cultural Day, and culminated in a delicious catered luncheon by our very own Chef Smith and the NJROTC Sous Chefs.

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Resources



Preparing for Tough Conversations With Teens

Discussing tough topics like fentanyl and other drugs can feel challenging — no matter how close you are with your child. Explain to your teen that it’s important to learn about fentanyl so they know what to do if a friend overdoses. Prepare in advance with the tips below:

  • Set the stage. Choose a casual environment that’s free from distractions. Talk while driving, taking a walk, or doing chores together. 
  • Make it a two-way discussion. Ask open-ended questions. 
  • Stay patient and reserve judgment. 
  • Check in with your child early and often. 

Visit our website for more information on how to Become Unskippable with your teens. 


FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

  • A Strong Academic Foundation
  • 70th Annual Regional Science Fair
  • New Breakfast Options

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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