EHS Weekly Update - April 25, 2025


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Edison High School Weekly

Important Dates

April 25 - Senior Prom at the Crystal View

May 3 - Student One Act Festival -Auditorium  7pm

May 10 - Flea Market 7am - 2pm

May 12 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation -Auditorium 7pm

May 16 - Night of Broadway -Auditorium 7pm

May 17 - Padres Latino Meeting -Cafeteria 10am - 12pm

May 22 - Orchestra Spring Concert w/ Twain -Auditorium 6pm

May 26 - Memorial Day -No School

May 27 - Senior Awards -Auditorium 

May 28 - Sports Awards -Auditorium 

May 28 - Sports Physicals Night 5pm - 8pm

May 29 - Thespies -Auditorium 7pm

June 3 - Graduation 2pm at Eagle Bank Arena - GMU

June 7 - Flea Market 7am - 2pm

June 7 - Padres Latino Meeting -Cafeteria 10am - 12pm

June 11 - Last Day OF School!

June 14 - Flea Market 7am - 2pm

FCPS School Year Calendar      Edison CalendarWiz


Table of Contents


Message From Mrs. Burke

Dear Edison Families,

As we wrap up another exciting week at school, I want to extend my deep appreciation to our students, staff, and families for their ongoing support and partnership. We have so much to celebrate and look forward to, and I want to take a moment to share a few important updates.

Our PTSA is a vital part of what makes Edison such a special place. From supporting student scholarships and teacher mini-grants to organizing our All Night Grad Party, celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week, and marking joyful traditions like cupcakes on Edison’s birthday—our PTSA is the heartbeat of many of our most meaningful moments. I work closely with our current president and PTSA leadership team, and together, we help shape a school environment that supports both staff and students.

We are currently in need of parents to step into key leadership roles for the upcoming year—President, Vice President, All Night Grad Party Chair, and more. If you are interested in working alongside me and the rest of our dedicated team to ensure our students and staff have the very best experiences, please consider stepping up. You can reach out directly to the PTSA via email—we would love to connect with you!

This week was filled with milestones and moments of pride. We celebrated our first Senior Night of the spring sports season with our Girls’ Soccer team. It was a beautiful evening honoring a special group of student-athletes.

We also successfully piloted our new weapon detection screening—thank you to our students, staff, and families for your patience and support. The students handled arrival procedures beautifully, and this technology adds an important layer to our multi-faceted safety strategy. Still, our strongest safeguard will always be the culture we build together—where students feel safe reporting concerns to trusted adults. Please continue to encourage open communication.

Another highlight this week was Day Prom on Wednesday—an inclusive celebration filled with dancing, photos, and friendship. It was heartwarming to see our students enjoying themselves. And tonight, we are thrilled to celebrate our seniors at their official Senior Prom—an exciting milestone and a night to remember. We can’t wait to see them all dressed up and enjoying the evening.

Today, I had the opportunity to bring regional leadership and some of our school board members to the Edison Academy construction site. It was inspiring to see our students in action and witness the progress firsthand.

Finally, this Saturday, we’re looking forward to the Best Buddies Friendship Walk in D.C. at 8:30 AM. I’m excited to join our students in supporting inclusion and unity for all.

Looking ahead, next week marks the beginning of our SOL testing and IB exams. Please help our students come prepared by ensuring they get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast, and arrive at school on time. Your support at home truly makes a difference.

Thank you for being such a supportive and engaged community. Have a safe and restful weekend!

Mrs. Burke

Principal


Teacher Spotlight!

drawings of the environment

Edison's own Ms. McCaslin was invited by the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) to write a blog post for them about how she's used her educational resources and that of the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in her Environmental Science class.

It also shows the work of our student, Perla Cardoza. We are sharing more work by Ms. McCaslin's students. Thank you for sharing the student work about biodiversity and culture, and congratulations on the blog post!

Blog Post:

A Triangulation Approach in Environmental Science Education By Kristine Novero McCaslin

drawings of the environment

Thank a Staff Member!

Edison Eagle logo with the words thank a staff member Edison High School

As we near teacher appreciation week, May 5th – 9th, we invite you to take a moment and express your gratitude to our staff here at Edison High School! Has a staff member gone the extra mile, given you support, gotten your student excited about a subject, or do you just want to say thank you?

Fill out the Thank a Staff Member Form and let them know.

Sometimes a simple thank you can make a lasting impact!


Your Edison PTSA Needs YOU!

Collage of photos from PTSA

We have several key vacancies for next year, and without your help, we will NOT have a PTSA. That means important programs and events will be lost, including:

    • Class of 2026 All Night Graduation Party
    • Food Pantry Services
    • Senior Scholarships
    • Teacher Mini-Grants
    • Monthly Meetings with Principal Burke
    • Teacher Appreciation Events and more

The PTSA plays a vital role in fostering Edison’s vibrant, supportive community—and we can’t do it without you.

Please don’t wait for someone else to step up. We need YOU.

Join us at our next meeting: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | 7:00 PM | Edison Library

Let’s keep the Edison spirit strong—together! 


cheerleader and drumline in front of the school

Edison welcomed 8th graders to the building this week to say
"Hello High School!"


Edison Theatre Company Boosters- Scholarships

Edison Theatre Company Boosters are pleased to announce two $750 senior scholarships. The scholarships are open to graduating seniors who have participated in at least 4 ETC activities. More information and the application can be found:  Information about the Edison Theatre Company Boosters Scholarship

Applications are due on May 5th.


Edison Athletic Booster Club

LAST CALL FOR BRICKS

a brick that says Student Name Class of 2025 Eagle Pride

The deadline to order a 20224-2025 Brick is Sunday, April 27, at midnight. Purchasing an Edison Brick is a wonderful way to honor your graduating seniors and family members while creating a lasting tribute at Edison High School's Luther W. Fennell Field. Each brick can be purchased for $40 and includes up to four lines of personalized text and an icon. Please note that orders placed now will be installed during the summer of 2025. If you have any questions, please email: brickfundraiser@edisonboosters.org.

Purchase bricks here: https://www.edisonboosters.org/bricks/

 

EDISON ATHLETIC BOOSTERS SCHOLARSHIPS

A graduation cap, School letter, and the Edison eagle logo

Edison Athletics Booster Club will offer six scholarships to graduating Edison High School seniors who have participated in Varsity Edison Athletics as a player. Applicants will be judged on athletic accomplishments, community service, coach’s recommendation, and written essay. Financial need is not a determining factor. Each scholarship award will be in the amount of $500. Scholarships (checks) will be made payable and sent directly to the recipient’s college or technical/vocational school. The deadline to apply is Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 11:00 pm.

Apply here: https://www.edisonboosters.org/scholarships/


soccer players together for a photo on the soccer field

Girls Soccer Senior Night!


Student’s Intention Forms for 2025-2026

Families NOT returning to Thomas A. Edison High School in the fall of 2025-2026, please complete and return the “Student’s Intention form for the Next School Year” by June 11, 2025

STUDENT'S INTENTION FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR

A digital or typed parent/guardian signature is acceptable.  Student ID Number may be left blank. Send to our registrar, Tawanna Bates at tjbates@fcps.edu.  Thank you for your assistance. Go Eagles!


Edison High School Freshman Orientation – Class of 2029

Save the date jump start Edison Jump Start Program Tuesday July 29th 9am - 1pm

We are excited to support your student’s transition to high school! For the second year, Edison High School is offering an optional Jump Start Program for rising 9th-grade students.

Program Details:

Date: Tuesday, July 29th Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Location: Edison High School

During this session, students will: ✔️ Meet staff members, including administrators, counselors, and teachers ✔️ Tour the school building ✔️ Receive tips for high school success ✔️ Learn about our wide range of sports and club opportunities ✔️ Receive lunch and Edison Eagle Pride T-shirt

Please note: Transportation will not be provided.

We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2029!

Save the Date: Registration will open on May 30th and a link will be located on the Edison website for those interested in our Jumpstart program. Please contact Greg Dombrowski: GSDombrowski@fcps.edu or Ellen Hagan: EMHaganBower@fcps.edu for further information.


collage of a man, a man with the Edison eagle, and a photo with students at the bottom

Congressman Don Beyer stopped by Edison to speak with our Leadership students!


Family Liaison News!

Message from out Family Liaisons

Hi Edison Families!

We’re Douha Kalouda and Luisa Espionza, your Family Liaisons here at Edison High School. Our role is to support you and help make your high school experience as smooth and connected as possible.

Think of us as your go-to people for questions and concerns. A Family Liaison serves as a bridge between the school and families, helping to build strong connections and ensure everyone feels supported and informed. Whether it's helping families navigate school resources, answering questions, or connecting them to community services, we’re here to make sure every student and family feels welcomed and empowered to succeed.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re just a phone call or email away, and we truly look forward to working with families at Edison!

Warmly,

Douha Kalouda - 703-924-8074 or dkalouda@fcps.edu

Luisa Espionza - 703-924-8200 or leespionza@fcps.edu

 

Family Assistance Questionnaire

Edison High School is committed to ensuring that all our students have the resources and support they need throughout the school year to reach their full potential in school and within the community. The Family Assistance Questionnaire is entirely optional and confidential. You only need to complete the questionnaire if you are interested in receiving assistance (such as community resource information and grocery gift cards over holiday breaks). The questionnaire is available online in English and Spanish. Paper copies and questionnaires in other languages are available upon request. If you have any questions, please contact Family Liaison, Douha Kalouda at dkalouda@fcps.edu or 703-924-8074.

Link to Family Assistance Questionnaire

English: https://tinyurl.com/EHSassistance

Spanish: https://tinyurl.com/EHSasistencia

 

Food Pantry

words food pantry and cartoon pictures of food

Social and Emotional Learning Screener: Parent Reports

Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of March, providing information on their SEL skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

Individual student SEL Screener results are available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.

For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the SEL Screener Results Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.


Measles

Protect Your Child from Measles: What You Need to Know

Measles cases continue to rise in the U.S. About 1 in 5 people who get measles end up in the hospital. Measles can cause severe complications like a lung infection (pneumonia), brain inflammation (encephalitis), and possibly death, even with medical care. Symptoms of measles typically include:

  • High fever (may spike up to 104°F)
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Red, watery eyes
  • A rash that appears around 3-5 days after other symptoms begin. The rash typically starts on the face and spreads down the body.

The best way to protect a child from measles is by getting two doses of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

If you are unsure of your child's vaccination status or your personal vaccination status, talk to your health care provider. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your health care provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources.


students in the auditorium

8th graders heard from Edison student leaders and to learned about high school expectations.


School Health Survey

✅ Share Feedback With County Health Department on School Health Services

The Fairfax County Health Department and Fairfax County Public Schools School Health Services invite parents/caregivers of FCPS students to participate in a survey on satisfaction with school health room services. The survey takes about five minutes to complete and will be open until Monday, May 5.

School health rooms (clinics) are managed by public health nurses and school health aides. Those staff provide care for students who become sick or injured during the school day, who require medications during the school day, and/or who have a chronic health condition that requires management during the school day.

Additionally, the school health room staff:

  • Provide health education, communicable disease prevention, and health screenings.
  • Work with schools to help address the root causes of population health disparities so that all students have equitable access to educational and health opportunities.
  • Ensure that students have care for minor injuries and illnesses, and chronic health conditions, thus helping to minimize health barriers to learning. 

Survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of school health room services as well as inform future planning for schools.


Summer Extravaganza

☀️ Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas

Attend the FCPS Summer Extravaganza on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School and get a jump on summer learning and fun! At this free event, participants can engage in educational and enrichment activities designed to inspire curiosity and growth. 

An FCPS Student Program Marketplace will feature student-made goods for sale. Proceeds will support the students’ programs. 

Learn about summer programs and resources available from community and business partners. Enjoy face painting, touring a fire truck, student performances, and much more! For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.


Bussey Memorial Equity Award

Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award. The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors this award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families.  

This award recognizes an employee, student, or community member who has demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.

Any staff, student, or community member can nominate an individual for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Monday, May 19. Visit the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage to access the nomination information form. 


Become Unskippable and Drug TakeBack Day

It’s Time to Talk About Fentanyl: Become Unskippable 

National Fentanyl Awareness Day is Tuesday, April 29. Learn fentanyl facts and how to have short, impactful conversations in a way that teens are more likely to listen. Get everything you need to prepare by visiting the Fentanyl Awareness webpage. Supporting Resources are on the bottom of the page. 

💊 DEA Drug Take Back Day

Drug Take Back Day offers a safe and free opportunity to dispose of old medications discreetly. On Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., bring your unused prescription drugs to a nearby collection site.


FCPS News In Case You Missed It!

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

    • Protect Your Child From Measles
    • Celebrating FCPS Staff and Students
    • Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today


Mental Health Teletherapy

💻 No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for All High School Students

Is your student experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, you may refer your child for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit FCPS’ Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.


Varsity Tutors

📑 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.


Yearbook - Ordering

Yearbook

Order your yearbook at:

www.yearbookordercenter.com

school code: 5211

Yearbook Advisor Vanessa Briggs

Visit us on instagram@edison.ybk


Attendance Reporting

How to report an absence

Attendance Emails are no longer accepted or monitored. 

Edison Attendance Office  703-924-8080

All Day- Call and leave a message, ParentVue, or drop off a note
Late Arrival-
Call and leave a message, or send your student in with a note
Early Release-
Call and leave a message, or send your student in with a note

Please note: Last minute check outs can take up to 30 minutes to retrieve your student 


Useful Links