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In This Issue
Thank You, Mrs. Van Gelder!
🎉 A big shoutout to our amazing school social worker, Mrs. Van Gelder, for being featured in the FCPS News!
"The Herndon Middle School project has more than 100 students paired with mentors. The mentors meet with the students once a week for 30 minutes to chat, play games, and connect as trusted adults in the students’ lives. Ashley plans monthly activities for mentees and mentors at the school, including pumpkin carving, gingerbread house building, and a trip to the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum. Since becoming involved in the program, there has been a documented increase in school attendance for those involved.
'Under Ashley's leadership, we are making a significant difference in the lives of our students by prioritizing student well-being, academic success, and social-emotional development,' a colleague said. 'We are proud of our accomplishments and are committed to continuing our work to create a more equitable and supportive learning environment for all.'"
Thank you once again, Mrs. Van Gelder, for all your hard work and dedication to our students. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we are incredibly proud of all that you do!
🍀 We Are So Lucky To Have Staff Like You Celebration
We would like to celebrate the hard work of our staff over these past few weeks. We will be creating a rainbow treat table on St. Patrick’s Day and are asking for donations to support our “We are so lucky to have staff like you” treat table.
If you are able to support, please click on the Amazon link to purchase an item by Friday, March 14. As always, we appreciate all your support!
💉 VDH Immunization Packets for Rising 7th Graders
As required by the Code of Virginia, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend public school. All students entering seventh grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older.
- Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older.
- A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents/guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with their child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. If your child does not have a health care provider, please visit the FCPS Immunizations Resource page to find out where to get an immunization.
Please review the Virginia Department of Health Information Packet for more information on rising 7th grade immunization requirements.
📖 Supporting Academic Growth and Reading on Level by Third Grade
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.
Last fall, FCPS introduced a new reading curriculum that aligns with evidence-based literacy instruction. 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.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Advertised Budget. View the Budget Development Calendar to stay up to date.
👨👩👧👦 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.
🎓 Earn Credit Toward Graduation This Summer
Take advantage of the opportunity to earn a high school course credit via this summer’s online campus program. Registration is now open. Students must register by Friday, June 6. Mathematics, health and physical education, career and technical education, English, science, social studies, and world language courses are available to eligible middle and high school students.
Summer is a great time for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance course requirement. This is a self-directed course where students work independently. The course is available between Monday, June 23, and Friday, July 25. Registration is now open. Students must register by Friday, May 23. For more information, visit this Summer Learning page.
💡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. 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.
📢 Save Our Middle School After School Programs
The proposed budget for FY26 could eliminate funding for the Middle School After-School (MSAS) program in all 27 Fairfax County middle schools, as well as all middle school Value In Prevention (VIP) summer camp programs. These vital programs provide a safe, supervised learning environment for our children after the school day ends as well as for five weeks every summer. Their elimination would have a significant negative impact on our community.
The MSAS program, funded by the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and administered by FCPS, offers invaluable support to students. Running five days a week, with late bus transportation provided four days a week, MSAS provides a structured and enriching alternative to unsupervised time. Studies consistently demonstrate that students who participate in after-school programs like the MSAS experience numerous benefits, including:
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Improved Academic Performance: After-school programs include academic support and enrichment opportunities, leading to better grades and test scores.
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Increased School Attendance: Students involved in after-school activities are more likely to attend school regularly.
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Improved Behavior: Structured after-school programs contribute to improved behavior and fewer disciplinary issues.
We understand the need for budget considerations, but cutting such beneficial programs would have far-reaching consequences for our children and our community. We urge you to take action to protect these vital resources immediately.
Please contact your Fairfax County Supervisor and School Board members immediately to express your support for the MSAS program. Let them know how important this program is to your family and the positive impact it has on your child's academic, social, and emotional well-being.
You can find contact information for your representatives on the Fairfax County website: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/myneighborhood/
Time is of the essence. Decisions about the FY2026 budget are being made NOW. Your voice matters. Please act today to ensure that our middle school students continue to have access to the valuable support and opportunities provided by the MSAS program.
Public participation is encouraged by the Board of Supervisors, and residents are invited to provide input through public hearings and community discussions before the final budget adoption in May. Each Magisterial District has scheduled public hearings and County-wide after-school Budget public hearings are scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday, April 22-24, with final budget adoption scheduled for May 13.
Make YOUR voice heard!
🎭 Matilda, Jr. Tickets Now on Sale!
After weeks of hard work and determination, the Matilda, Jr. Cast and Crew are thrilled to announce that tickets to our performances are now on sale through Etix using this link: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15663/herndon-middle-school-theatre.
We hope to see you at one of our performances March 28 & 29 at 7:00pm and March 30 at 1:00pm. Tickets are $12 General Admission and $5 with Student ID. Bring your whole family to this all ages production!
🏃♂️ Volunteers Needed for Healthy Kids Running Series!
Healthy Kids Running Series is a national, community-based nonprofit that inspires kids (ages 2-14) to stay active and build healthy habits through a fun, five-week running program.
We need volunteers to help on race days! This is a great opportunity for students to earn volunteer hours while making a meaningful impact in our community.
If you're interested in helping out, please reach out to herndonva@healthykidsrs.org! Your support can make a big difference for our young runners!
🗣️ 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.
🤝 Eating Disorders
According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA 2023), Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. In the United States, 28.8 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives. There is no single cause of an eating disorder. Rather, it is a complex combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that converge and set off an individual’s predisposed genetic vulnerability.
In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed a web page with detailed information and resources to be provided to parents and guardians of Fairfax County Public Schools. This information may be found at Eating Disorders.
📑 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.
🚀 Prepare for a Summer of Learning and Fun
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
📡 Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Summer Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Registration begins for these programs on Monday, March 10, and ends Friday, June 6.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps.
IFTA is a two- or three-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, Health and Physical Education 9 (graduation requirement), music, and theater.
🏀 The Goods Basketball Camp
The Goods Basketball is a premiere basketball training and development brand in Northern Virginia, committed to enhancing players' skills, mindset, and techniques on the court!
We offer programs for all ages, starting at 4 years old and extending through high school, as well as college and pro levels. With expert coaching and training, we’ll help your player(s) elevate their game and reach the next level in every aspect!
If you are interested in signing up your child for the Spring Break Basketball Camp, please register here!
👷♂️ Rosendin Foundation Summer Camp
The Rosendin Foundation is hosting a summer camp for students in grades 6-8, offering a hands-on introduction to skilled trades. Each day will focus on a different trade, with exciting activities such as building a lamp, constructing and painting dog houses to donate to a local charity, and operating heavy equipment. We are currently accepting applications for 8 boys and 8 girls. The camp will be held at our office, and the best part—it's completely free!
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March
National Women's History Month
14-15 | Band State Assessment at Madison HS
21 | District 12 Choral Concert at Kenmore MS
28 | End of 3rd Quarter - Full School Day
28-29 | Matilda Jr. Spring Show at 7:00 PM
30 | Matilda Jr. Spring Show at 1:00 PM
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FCPS Cares
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.
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