Fort Belvoir Elementary School marks Read Across America Week by inviting service members, including Master Sgt. Holly Gilmore, to read to students.
🔬 70th Annual Regional Science Fair
The 70th Annual Regional Science Fair will take place at Robinson Secondary School the weekend of March 21-23.
The fair is open to the public on Sunday, March 23, 1-3 p.m., during the Open House. Community members are invited to see the project displays and congratulate our high school student participants.
Visit the science fair webpage for more information.
Developing a Strong Academic Foundation, Curiosity, and Joy for Learning
 
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. Regardless of their abilities, it is important to bring children under the age of five together, which we explore in the video above.
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.
💬 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 county Budget Town Hall meetings.
🧸 Give Your Kids a Strong Start: Apply for Early Childhood Education Programs
FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors ages 6 weeks to 4 years living in Fairfax County.
Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30. Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from expectant mothers and parents/guardians of children 6 weeks to 2 years old.
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, however, space is limited and provided based on need, not “first come, first serve.” Applications are accepted online, by email, by postal mail, or in person at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
✨ The availability of pre-K programs to meet community need is part of FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 1: Strong Start.
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.
💚 Thank You, School Social Workers!
The goal of every FCPS school social worker is to make sure every student can succeed. They assess and address social, emotional, and behavioral factors that may stand in the way of students learning and doing their best. Find out how some of our school social workers are improving their students' lives.
✨ Helping students feel safe, supported, included, and empowered at school is Goal 2 of FCPS’ Strategic Plan.
📱 Sixteen Year Olds Tackle Oral Cancer Challenge
They bonded as members of the robotics team at Oakton High School. Now, four friends are taking on a challenge that they hope will save lives. The students, all 16 years old, are seeking approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Apple Store for an app to be marketed as a wellness tool. They hope their invention will eventually be accessible to billions globally and revolutionize cancer detection. Read more about the students and their invention.
✨ Their work illustrates Goal 5 of the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation.
🕊️ 27 FCPS Students Honored With 2025 Student Peace Awards
Students from 27 Fairfax County public schools have been named recipients of the 2025 Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County, designed to recognize young people who work as peacemakers. Read about the students and their projects.
📐 Review Potential K-12 Mathematics Instructional Resources
FCPS will begin using new mathematics instructional resources for the 2025-26 (secondary) and 2026-27 (elementary) school years. The community is invited to review materials and provide comments. Access resources on the FCPS Mathematics webpage.
You may view hard copies of instructional materials on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Friday, March 21, at 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Dr., Suite 100. In-person public review will not be available on Tuesday, March 11, and Wednesday, March 12.
All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and with the Fairfax County School Board members before the board votes in spring 2025.
☕ Coffee Cart Program Boosts Student Confidence and Life Skills
Roughly 15 students participate in the Poe Coffee Cart program, an initiative started in November by multiple disabilities teacher Renee Ruggles. Ruggles says she came up with the idea after discussions with other multiple disabilities teachers about ways to help grow functional skills in students. The program helps develop social skills, professionalism, and confidence by pushing her students to interact with staff and students they might not typically see during their years at Poe. Read more about the coffee cart program.
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, hosted by Fairfax County Public Schools in collaboration with our valued community partners. This free in-person event will be held Saturday, March 15, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School.
Childcare will be provided. Special education staff will be available to care for children with high support needs. You can sign up for childcare during the registration process.
Learn more about this event and register today! Contact FamilySummit@fcps.edu for more information.
🌞 FCPS CARES Recipient Creates Brighter Days
FCPS CARES allows parents/caregivers, staff, and community members to recognize employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. Among the CARES of the Month recipients for December 2024/January 2025 is Erica Moore, a multiple disabilities teacher at Union Mill Elementary School. |
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“Erica is someone who comes to school every day with the mindset that every child she works with will have a brighter day,” her nominator said. “Because of her, many students who struggle find glimmers in their day. Glimmers of hope. Glimmers of ‘Yes, I can!’ Glimmers of confidence. She constantly goes above and beyond for her students and fellow teachers.”
Other FCPS CARES of the Month recipients include:
- Lori Posner, Virginia Hills Early Childhood Center
- Lauren Drew, Cunningham Park Elementary School
- Abby Parsons, Beech Tree Elementary School
- Lainie Abrams and Jennifer Stoneburg, West Potomac High School
- Carlie Oddo-Bennett, Eagle View Elementary School
- Laura Steib, Columbia Elementary School
Read about all the recipients.
🌅 New Breakfast Options for a Healthy, Delicious Start to the School Day
This week is National School Breakfast Week! Breakfast is important for growing minds and bodies. FCPS’ Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) has served 3.3 million breakfasts so far this year to support students with a strong, healthy start to their day.
Six new fresh-baked breakfast options are now available. They were chosen through student feedback from our annual student food show, surveys, and focus groups. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s Weekly Reflections for a list of new items.
Printable Menus
Want to know what schools are serving for breakfast or lunch? Printable menus are available online.
✨ Centering student voice is part of Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered of FCPS’ Strategic Plan.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders
Instructional Job Fair
Fairfax County Public Schools is hosting an instructional job fair on Saturday, March 8, 9 a.m. to noon, at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Registration is required.
Come Work for FCPS!
Check out our other recently posted jobs in finance (payroll and accounting), information technology, or office personnel (office assistant, administrative assistant, executive administrative assistant).
☀️ Daylight Saving Begins (Spring Forward)
Daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour!
As a result of the time change, many students will be walking to school or bus stops in the dark. Help your child stay safe by having them wear reflective clothing and bright or light colors, or add reflective items to their backpacks or clothes. Also, encourage your child to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up and not to run into the street or cross between parked cars.
⏰ Limited Early Release Monday
Elementary schools in the following pyramids will release three hours early on Monday, March 10:
- Edison, Hayfield, Lewis, Mount Vernon, South County, West Potomac, Annandale, Falls Church, Justice, Lake Braddock, West Springfield, and Woodson.
View Upcoming Events on your school’s homepage to find early release dates that will impact your child. Learn more about Limited Early Release Mondays.
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