Lt. Col. Brian Shiozawa hugs his daughter during an event at Fort Belvoir Elementary School.
Excellence Is at a Crossroads
Fairfax County residents believe in the value of a strong public school system. Residents live here because of the excellence of Fairfax County Public Schools, even our community members with grown children. Excellence in FCPS comes from its people — dedicated teachers and support staff who make sure that our students are ready to learn. Today, that excellence is at a crossroads.
The County Board of Supervisors will finalize the budget on May 6. The current advertised budget underfunds FCPS by $150 million. The current advertised budget underfunds FCPS by $150 million.
Now is the time. Do we want continued excellence, or are we ready to consider cuts to important programs that we have come to expect from FCPS?
Do you believe in the power and promise of public education? Go to fcps.edu/crossroads to learn more, including ways that you can share your thoughts about the county budget before the vote.
💡 FCPS Achieves $100 Million in Savings From Reductions in Energy Use
Fairfax County Public Schools has reduced its energy use by 31% since 2014, surpassing its 10-year goal of a 20% reduction. This has led to more than $100 million in cumulative energy cost savings since 2013 across more than 28 million square feet of building space. Read more about FCPS’ environmental stewardship and savings.
🎖️ April Is Month of the Military Child
FCPS welcomes all of our new and returning military-connected families throughout the year! Whether your family is moving permanently to the school district or living here for a short time, our schools and support staff welcome you and will be able to assist with your transition into and/or out of our district.
Visit our Military Families webpage and sign up to receive the Military Families newsletter. Follow our FCPS Military Families accounts on Facebook and Instagram for support and resources throughout the year. If you have any questions, please email our Family and School Partnerships team.
Purple Up! Day
To show our support for all our military-connected families, we are inviting all Fairfax County students, families, employees, and community members to “Purple Up!” on Wednesday, April 9, for military children.
Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Space Force blue.
✨ A positive school climate where students feel a sense of belonging is part of FCPS' 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
⏰ Share Your Thoughts on School Start Times
FCPS would like to hear from all families on the possibility of adjusting school start times across the division. Please check your email for a survey link sent earlier today. It was also sent to all staff as well as to students in grades 5-12. The confidential survey will be open through Saturday, April 12.
Plan Underway for Pilot Program for Mason District Schools
The School Board agreed at its meeting on Thursday to direct Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid to provide a cost-neutral plan by Thursday, April 10, for a pilot program for as many of the Mason District middle schools (Glasgow, Holmes, and Poe) as possible to begin the day later. The plan should also minimize start time changes for pyramid high schools. Watch the meeting.
A follow-on motion indicated the plan should include “robust community engagement and consideration of varied student transportation needs, for implementing healthy school start times in conjunction with the holistic boundary review process.”
🧲 Register by April 4 for the Elementary Magnet School Lottery
Three FCPS elementary magnet schools — Hunters Woods, Bailey’s Primary, and Bailey’s Upper — provide enhanced learning programs in science, technology, and performing arts. Registration for the 2025-26 elementary magnet lottery is open through Friday, April 4. Learn more about the programs on the Elementary Magnet Schools page. Get information on the magnet lottery on our Registration page.
Math Skills From a Box of Chocolates: Eighth Grader Earns Patent for Game Developed to Make Math More Fun
As a bored fifth-grader trying to amuse himself during the pandemic, Kasra Karimi never imagined he’d be a patent holder by middle school. Kasra just knew he was tired of most of the board games on his family’s shelves and wanted a new option for the weekly game nights his family enjoyed.
On October 15, 2024, Kasra, now an eighth grader at Thoreau Middle School, officially received his patent. His game is now available as a physical board game or as an app that can be downloaded on phones or computers. He hopes it will not only help others discover the excitement of math but also inspire them to file their own patents and pursue inventive ideas. Read more about his math game.
FCPS Educators Honored for STEM Excellence
Two Fairfax County Public Schools educators have been recognized by the Air Force for their dedication to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education, inspiring students through innovative hands-on learning experiences.
Andrea Trumbull of Ravensworth Elementary School and Desanka “Desa” Elwell of Edison High School (above) played pivotal roles in integrating advanced STEM concepts into their classrooms through the Air Force Office of Scientific Research STEM Team’s ACCESS Lending Library Program. Learn more about this STEM award.
✨ The availability of, access to, and student enrollment in STEM courses are part of Strategic Plan Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity.
📚 Ensuring Access to Library Materials for Each and Every Learner
April is School Library Month. In FCPS libraries, students develop knowledge and skills, experience a sense of belonging, find inspiration and support, and have the ability to freely pursue their personal interests and academic growth.
Read about how staff of Library Information Support Services, like Meg Rogers (pictured), support FCPS school librarians.
📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Glossary Available
Check out our new Boundary Review Glossary for clear definitions of terms like capacity deficit, capacity surplus, split feeder, and others. Also, if you missed it last week, take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Find more information on our Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.
👗 Annual Prom Dress Shop Open at Centreville High School
Students from Centreville High School and the Fair Oaks Classroom on the Mall program opened their annual Prom Dress Shop to help students celebrate in style. The shop has helped hundreds of students attend prom each spring by providing prom dresses and accessories at no cost to students.
The shop’s last weekend is coming up! Be sure to stop by Friday, April 4, 5-8 p.m., Saturday, April 5, 2-5 p.m., or Sunday, April 6, 1-4 p.m. Read more about the Prom Dress Shop.
✨ Student access to career and technical education (CTE) courses is one of the measures of FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 4.
🎤 Community Conversations With Superintendent Dr. Reid
A series of Community Conversations with Dr. Reid is being held as an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS. Events are planned for the following dates from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
Events are open to all. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Click on the date to register for that event. Visit our webpage for other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
✨ Vibrant home, school, and community partnerships is Pillar B of the Strategic Plan.
📕 Elementary Literacy Update
In the Academic Matters section of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid provided an update on elementary literacy efforts and the Strategic Plan goal to have students reading on level by the end of third grade. Watch her video on literacy.
Based on third grade iReady testing results from fall 2024 and winter 2025, more students are meeting end-of-year expectations and fewer are below end-of-year expectations. View the presentation to learn more about literacy outcomes.
Read more about Dr. Reid’s week and work in her Weekly Reflections.
✨ Reading on level by third grade is part of Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders: Spring Break
Monday, April 14, to Friday, April 18, is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed.
See the complete school year calendar.
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