English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Hello Braddock Families,

Flowers are blooming🪻, the kids are getting bigger and the bees are buzzing🐝, allergies aside, this is truly one of the best times of the year. Everyone, young and old, is enjoying more outdoor time and our schools are busy with class plays, Spring sports, fun fairs and more. With Summer just around the corner, check out the offerings at your local school below!

Coming off two years in a row of winning the Best Play Cappies Award, the theatre team at Lake Braddock Secondary School is back May 1st - May 3rd with their final production of the year, The Trojan Women. This is just one of many theater productions taking place the first two weekends in May - see our listings below for more information on performances at high schools across the Braddock District! Who needs Broadway with all this amazing theater in our backyard?!? 

With graduation only a month away, schools are also looking to welcome the next class. Over at Robinson, rising Rams are invited to a Welcome Night on Thursday, May 8th. In the meantime, it is wonderful to see so many “core memory” events for graduating seniors - I hope the Class of 2025 and their families soak up every moment. I have found this class to be wise beyond their years and joyful in each moment! I wish the Class of 2025 the best of luck as they follow their path and their dreams and I am looking forward to celebrating them at their graduations.

Spring sports are also well underway. Fans of our teams don’t have to drive far or pay high prices to enjoy an evening out. There are plenty of opportunities to watch your favorite sport at our local high schools. Next week, the Woodson Cavaliers baseball and softball teams take on the Fairfax Lions May 5th at Fairfax High School. 

It’s not all play time. Spring is also the budget season and  Fairfax County and FCPS will be finalizing the budgets for FY2026. Look for revisions to the Fairfax County Advertised Budget on May 6th and a public hearing on the Fairfax County Public School budget on May 13th. The Boundary Policy Review is also underway. I’ll be posting updates as they become available

I am also proud to share that at last week’s meeting, the school board approved solar power installations for 15 additional schools. This move towards sustainability is also fiscally responsible and will save FCPS millions of dollars. Check out information below about our upcoming school board meetings and links as to how to watch! 

As always, if you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to reach out to my office at braddockconstituent@fcps.edu.

 All my best,

Rachna

Rachna Sizemore Heizer
Braddock District School Board Member

Have something nice to say about an FCPS teacher or other staff? Share it with FCPS CARES.
he FCPS Family Resource Center offers a wealth of free resources including webinars and other events. Learn more.

IN THIS ISSUE …

• Braddock Bravos
• Music & Arts
• Neurodiversity News
• From the School Board
• Out & About 
• Coming Up
• More Stuff Families Should Know
• FCPS News

Braddock Bravos

There are so many good things going on in the Braddock District! I am so proud of our students and staff's accomplishments and hard work! Check out some of the awesomeness below!

Recognitions at April 24th Board Meeting

Lake Braddock’s High School Gymnastics Team, West Springfield's Indoor Track and Field Team, TJHSST's Scholastic  Bowl Team, and West Springfield’s Wind Symphony were recognized at our School Board Meeting on April 24th.

As I mentioned in my last newsletter, LBSS Gymnastics senior team have won the Virginia state VHSL classics championship title for the fourth time in a row. Thank you also Principal Lindsay Kearns, Director of Student Activities Janice Pritchett, and Coach Michael Cooper for their support of the team. With 13 state titles in total — more than any other school in the state — Lake Braddock has become synonymous with excellence in gymnastics.

WSHS Boys Indoor Track and Field Team won the VHSL state championship. Thank you Principal Elizabeth Fossett, Director of Student Activities, Leah Conte, and Coach Chris Pellegrini for their support of the team.

TJHSST's Scholastic  Bowl Team won the VHSL Class 6 State Championship. Thank you also Principal Michael Mukai, Director of Student Activities David Arthur, and Coach Julia Fu for their support.

West Springfield High School’s Wind Symphony performed at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival. Thank you also to Principal Elizabeth Fossett, Director of Student Activities Leah Conte, and Band Director Wolson Gustama.

I was so proud to see our incredible staff and students in person along with their supporters. Congratulations!

Annandale Performing Arts Department to be Named Blue Ribbon School! For the first time in over a decade, Annandale High School Performing Arts has been named a Blue Ribbon School — an elite distinction awarded only when Band, Chorus, and Orchestra all receive Superior ratings, the highest possible, at District Assessment. This achievement reflects the extraordinary dedication, talent, and leadership of our student musicians, as well as the tireless support of our families and community. I am incredibly proud of the hard work, passion, and excellence that made this moment possible. Congratulations to all our ensembles on this well-deserved honor!

Annandale Guitar Students Earn High Ratings in District Assessment

For the first time ever, the Annandale High School Guitar Program participated in District Assessment on April 10 — and made an unforgettable debut! With only two weeks of preparation, our talented guitar students delivered a standout performance that earned them Superior ratings, the highest possible score. This incredible achievement means that all four Annandale music ensembles — Band, Chorus, Orchestra, and now Guitar — received Superior ratings this year, highlighting the remarkable depth of talent and commitment across the entire Performing Arts Department.

6 Braddock Teachers Earn or Renew Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

The National Board Certification program in FCPS began over 20 years ago, and more than 500 FCPS teachers have achieved this prestigious certification. FCPS is ranked in the top five for both new National Board certified teachers and current National Board certification candidates in the state of Virginia. FCPS ranks in the top 30 school districts nationwide for the number of National Board-certified teachers, with over 300 active National Board-certified teachers currently supporting students and schools. Seventy-five percent of National Board-certified teachers in FCPS work directly with students while others have moved into leadership roles throughout the division.  Congratulations to our Braddock National Board Certified Teachers!

• Newly Certified:
  • Kristin Bauersfeld, Terra Centre Elementary School. 
  • Melissa Johnson, Lake Braddock Secondary School. 
  • Rachel Von Elmendorf, Holmes Middle School. 
• Renewed: 
  • Frances Clarke, Keene Mill Elementary School. 
  • Darren Myzak, Lake Braddock Secondary. 
  • Lauren Kinne, Woodson High School.

2025 FCCPTA Shining Star Nominees

FCCPTA submitted our finalist Nominees for Elementary Volunteer, Principal, and Impactful PTA to Virginia PTA for consideration for a State-level award with recognition at the 2025 Annual Meeting, May 16-17. All FCCPTA Honorees will be recognized at our May 28, 2025, in-person FCCPTA General Membership Meeting at FCPS Gatehouse Center. You can  register to attend.

From the Braddock District, we have four nominees:

• Impactful PTA:
  • Wakefield Forest ES PTA
• Elementary Volunteer of the Year:
  • Jennifer Argeenta, Kings Park/Kings Glen ES PTA
  • Kathryn Stein, Terra Centre ES PTA
  • Heather Turi and Richard King, Laurel Ridge ES PTA

Melissa Johnson, assistant principal at Bonnie Brae Elementary School, promotes positive interactions with students and families to foster trust and increased community participation. She demonstrates respect and compassion for all students, and upholds consistent academic standards, while acknowledging that each student is at a unique stage in their academic journey. Go Scotties!

Joel Silveira, a student at Lake Braddock Secondary School, fosters positive relationships and ensures that no student feels left out, whether inside or outside the classroom. He consistently fosters a collaborative learning environment through patience and understanding, enabling peer success, and promoting mutual support among students. He also demonstrates effective self-advocacy, serving as a positive model for peer empowerment. Go Bruins!

Class 6 Boys All-State Basketball Team

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) athletes showcased their talent and dedication this season, earning prestigious spots on the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 6 All-State Basketball Teams. Doug Craig from Woodson High School earned Coach of the Year honors. Several FCPS athletes earned First and Second Team selections, highlighting the depth of talent within the region, including Braddock District's own Kaylen Chilton from Woodson High School who made it to the First Team.

2025 Regional Science & Engineering Fair Awards

The 70th annual Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair showcased roughly 400 high school science projects. More than 600 students presented their research projects in a wide variety of science and engineering fields. Projects were judged by more than 200 professionals and 40 professional organizations and businesses. The Grand Prize winners are eligible to compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in May.

I am so proud of our outstanding Braddock District students who achieved awards in many categories! 

• From Annandale HS, 
  • Honorable Mentions: Isabella Mercado Hurtado, Sophie Yamaoka, Stephanie Nguyen, Bin Chen 
• From LBSS, 
  • Second Place: William Pham, Jacqueline McCabe, Peter Martinez-Nikandrov, Gavin Friedman, Evelyn Ames, Ella Campbell, Kelsey Friedman, Emma Eder
  • Third Place: Azita Hughlett
• From Robinson SS,
  • First Place: Gina Amatucci and Mackenzie Gray
  • Second Place: Naomi Enav, Kayleigh Thompson
  • Third Place: Anna Wohler, Kate Wohler, Cecilia Younger
  • Honorable Mention: Beren Kasimcan, Noa Dinh, David Park, Catherine Williamson
• From TJHSST:
  • Grand Prize: Daniil Prokofev, 
  • First Place: Daniil Prokofev, Petr Kisselev
  • Second Place: Max Zhao
• From WSHS:
  • Honorable Mention: Kaiely Morales Campos
• From Woodson HS:
  • Grand Prize: Heman Bekele
  • First Place: Molly Hawkins, James Ngo, Nathan Nguyen, WynSon Phan, Sophia Richmond, Heman Bekele
  • Second Place: Isaac Kim, Emerie Belda, Parnika Urs, Camille Jo, Eleanor Wolf, Nathan Vailikit
  • Third Place: Ethan Lee, Kennen Nelson-Pennebaker, Dylan Nguyen, Natalie Kehl, Nina Samani, Alexander Kayal, Tyler Lim
  • Honorable Mention: Delaney Caldwell, Ellie Molholm, Ethan McCabe, Samuel Worthington, Anna Kim, Caroline McDaniel, Wyatt Fegan, Zachary Hanna, Vilem Roth

FCPS Student Artists Earn 31 National Scholastic Art Awards 

FCPS students received 31 national awards through the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. FCPS students were recognized for original art and writing with one American Visions Medal, 11 Gold Medals, 16 Silver Medals, and three portfolio Honorable Mentions.

National medalists will be celebrated at an award ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City in June. Select national award winning work will be included in an exhibition in New York, and a traveling exhibition over the coming year.

I am very proud of our Braddock District students who participated and earned recognition, including:

• Caroline Tso from Frost MS, whose work “Porcelain is Fragile, But So am I” won a Gold Medal in the Drawing & Illustration category.

• Wenxi Yu from Lake Braddock Secondary School, whose work “The Space Between Us” won a Silver Medal in the Writing category.

Jiya G Wins the 2025 Frost MS Spelling Bee Twenty four students competed in the 9th annual bee at Frost Middle School– which had more rounds than any previous bee. Typically, the bee ends after 13 or 14 rounds. Last year, it went to 19. This year, it went to 24! At the end of the championship round, Jiya Gaikwad was crowned the Frost Middle School Spelling Champion for 2025. Congratulations to Jiya! We wish you all the best in the next round. Jiya was joined on the podium by Nico Ligairi in 2nd & Sakuya Kawashima in 3rd place.

2025 Northern Virginia Regional MATHCOUNTS Competition

The 2025 Northern Virginia Regional MATHCOUNTS Competition was held earlier this year at South Lakes High School in Reston, VA.  Approximately 400 6th – 8th grade students, or Mathletes, competed in up to four rounds, each involving different tasks.  More information about each round and sample problems is available at: https://www.mathcounts.org/programs/mathcounts-competition-series.

Congratulations to our Mathletes from the Braddock District who ranked 4th overall as a team from Frost MS, and thank you to Coach Julia Shin!

• Jeffrey Du - also ranked 3rd overall individually!

• Betty Chu 

• Magnus Swenson 

Calculus Olympiad 2025

Congratulations to Kellie Ratliff, a senior at Lake Braddock Secondary School, who participated in the Calculus Olympiad 2025 hosted by George Mason University on April 5, and won the 1st Place Team Competition!” Way to go, Kellie! Kellie's mom shared, “My daughter and I also want to thank Mr. Joseph Ruchlewicz who taught her pre-calculus class last year; his class was fun, engaging, and helped her to build a good foundation for calculus. And Ms. Yoosun Han, her current calculus teacher who gave us the information about Olympiad 2025 at GMU and encouraged Kellie to participate. They both are wonderful teachers and my daughter enjoys their classes very much!” Go Bruins and go Team FCPS!!

Woodson HS Students Active over Spring Break Our Woodson students continue to shine in incredible ways. Woodson's Rocket League Esports team added to their legacy this week by capturing their fourth state title in just three years—an extraordinary feat and a mark of true excellence. Thank you Mike Kuykendall and Johnny Shu for your support of the team! Over Spring Break, the Deaf Academic Bowl team from Woodson traveled to Gallaudet University for the national competition and made it all the way to the final round, earning second runner-up honors. Their performance was inspiring, and we couldn’t be more proud. Thank you Julie Clinch, Shan Pillai, and Rachel Silien for your support. Also over the break, the Robotics team headed to Houston to compete in the Robotics World Championship. Representing our school on the global stage, they won four out of six of their events—an amazing accomplishment that reflects the countless hours of innovation, collaboration, and dedication they’ve poured into building and refining their robot. Thank you Adrian Jansen for your dedication and support of these amazing young engineers!

Robinson Rams on It's Academic  On Saturday, April 26th, three of our Robinson Rams participated in the It's Academic PLAYOFFs and fought hard to earn 485 points against the Basic Independent McLean Hawks and the Sandy Spring Friends Wildebeests. You can view their performance here. Go Rams!

Music & Arts

Have you checked out our local high school theater? Who needs Broadway with these amazing productions in our backyard? Check out these incredibly professional and entertaining Braddock District music and theater programs. Click on the flyer or title for ticketing information

Hadestown Teen Edition at Fairfax High School Thursday, May 1st - 7pm Friday, May 2nd - 7pm Saturday, May 3rd - 2 & 7pm

The Trojan Women at Lake Braddock High School Thursday, May 1st - 7pm Friday, May 2nd - 7pm Saturday, May 3rd - 1 & 7pm

Into the Woods at West Springfield High School. Thursday, May 8th - 7pm Friday, May 9th - 7pm Saturday, May 10th - 2 & 7pm

The Little Prince at Lake Braddock Middle School  Thursday, May 29th - 7pm Friday, May 30th - 7pm Saturday, May 31st - 2 & 7 pm Sunday, Jun 1st - 2pm

Tuck Everlasting at Robinson Secondary School Friday, May 2nd - 7pm Saturday, May 3rd - 2 & 7pm  Friday, May 9th - 7pm Saturday, May 10th - 2 & 7pm

Game of Tiaras at Key Middle School Friday, May 2nd - 6:30pm Saturday, May 3rd - 6:30pm

Little Shop of Horrors at Annandale High School Thursday, May 1st - 7pm Friday, May 2nd - 7pm Saturday, May 3rd - 2 & 7pm

Big Fish at TJHSST Friday, May 2nd - 7pm Saturday, May 3rd - 2 & 7pm

Neurodiversity News

Autism Resource Awareness Open House in Dunn Loring

In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, the Family Resource Center (FRC) invites you to join them at the Dr. Larry Bussey Family and Community Library (2334 Gallows Road, Room 105, Dunn Loring, VA 22027) on Tuesday, April 29th, from 12 – 2 pm,  for their inaugural Autism Resource Open House, titled "Beyond the Label." This event will include presentations from county representatives, engage in sensory activities, and provide an opportunity to explore the resources available at the FRC.

From the School Board

In case you missed it, here is a summary of the April 24 school board meeting: April 24, 2025 School Board Meeting Highlights | Fairfax County Public Schools.

And here is a summary of the April 10 school board meeting: April 10, 2025 School Board Meeting Highlights | Fairfax County Public Schools.

Upcoming Board Meetings

• Thursday, May 1st - 7pm - Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee Meeting
• Tuesday, May 6th - 11:30am - Work Session
• Thursday, May 8th - 7pm - Regular Meeting
• Monday, May 12th - 4:30pm - Audit Committee Meeting
• Tuesday, May 13th
  • 10am - Public Engagement Committee Meeting
  • 3pm - Governance Committee Meeting
  • 6pm - Public Hearing: FY2026 Budget
• Wednesday, May 14th - 6pm - Public Hearing: FY2026 Budget (if needed)
• Thursday, May 15th - 7pm - Comprehensive Planning and Development Committee Meeting

How to Follow the Work of the School Board

• View this link for a comprehensive list of upcoming meetings and associated information.
• Click here for meeting logistics, agendas and handouts (to view the slides and materials, click on the particular agenda item, and scroll down to the bottom of the page).
• Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting or public hearing.

All Board and Committee meetings are live-streamed on the FCPS website and televised on FCPS Cable Channel 99, and are available to view later at the FCPS School Board YouTube page.

New Staff Announcement

I am happy to share that I have two great new staffers. Stephanie Sedgwick is my new Director of District Operations and Gillie Cuda is my new Staff Assistant. 

Stephanie Sedgwick most recently served as the Chief of Staff to Delegate Dan Helmer, who represents the southwestern portion of Fairfax County in the House of Delegates, a position she held for the past two years. Before joining Delegate Helmer's office, Stephanie served Fairfax County as a member of the Advisory Social Services Board, a commissioner on the History Commission, and as a PTA volunteer. Stephanie also worked for the Washington Post for 20 years, as Recipe Editor and then as a columnist and feature story writer for the Food section. She and her husband have lived in Fairfax County for over 25 years with their two sons who attended Westbriar Elementary School, Kilmer Middle School, and Marshall High School. She has a B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University and an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts from The Culinary Institute of America.

Gillie Cuda has almost 10 years of local and state government experience, most recently working with state Senator Jennifer Boysko on her budget and education policies. Gillie graduated from TJHSST, studied International Relations and Chinese at the College of William & Mary, and Geospatial Intelligence and Geoinformatics at George Mason University.  They have a passion for learning, languages, economics, and history. 

Out & About

I was happy to meet with the parents and community members of Wakefield Forest Elementary School along with Principal Sharyn Prindle to discuss the budget, boundary, and more. We had over 50 audience members, showing just how engaged our families are. Go Wolves!

On Friday, April 11th we celebrated the completed renovations at Frost Middle School with FCPS Superintdent Dr. Reid, At Large School Board Member Ryan McElveen, Region 5 Assistant Superintendent Becky Baenig, Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, Frost MS Principal Anthony Harris, and many other members of the community, students, and partners in the renovation. Fly high Falcons!  

Coming Up

Braddock Bark 2025

Attention Rising-Rams! 

Robinson Middle School SGA is hosting a welcome event for all rising-7^th grade students and their families on Thursday, May 8th.

Rising-Rams MSB Directions.pdf 

When: Thursday, May 8th | 4:00-8:00 PM

• Baseball & softball games begin at 6:30 PM. JV Boys Lacrosse will begin at 5:45 PM and Varsity Boys Lacrosse will begin at 7:15 PM. (Games may last until 9:00pm). Students are not required to stay the entire time, however they must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of any/all sporting events.

Where:  Robinson Secondary School @ 5035 Sideburn Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032

• Door #1 Pavilion / Outside Main Entrance (check-in by the clock tower)

What: Students are invited to play carnival and sporting games, meet future classmates, go to food trucks, listen to music at the DJ Booth, and attend Robinson sporting events (Lacrosse, Softball, and Baseball,). **At half-time of the Varsity Boys Lacrosse game (~8:00 PM), all Rising-7^th grade students will be welcomed to run through the giant inflatable RAM onto the field to be recognized as the incoming Class of 2031!**

• Tickets: $20.00 on MySchoolBucks. Bring your online receipt to expedite check-in upon arrival at the event. 
• Tickets include: 2031 Robinson t-shirt, event games/activities, student entrance to sporting events, and to support future Class of 2031 events

• MySchoolBucks (MSB): Parents should log into your MSB account. If you don’t have one, you can easily create one and add your child to the account. Browse your school store for the "Rising Ram 2025 Event Admission" to make payment.  

• Parents and siblings are encouraged to attend and can purchase their sporting event tickets at the gate of Coffey Stadium.

Parents/Guardians: If you would like to go on a tour of Robinson during the event. There will be a designated “tours” table at the event where you will meet your student tour guides. There will be tours leaving every 10 minutes.

SUBMIT ORDER ON  MySchoolBucks. BY 2:00PM ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23^rd FOR GUARANTEED SHIRT SIZE. 

• Online event tickets close on Friday, April 30^th at 11:59PM. Tickets can be purchased at the door – cash only. 

Email middle school SGA sponsors, Ms. Emily Normand or Mr. Richard Saltz, with questions, (ejnormand@fcps.edu, rsaltz@fcps.edu) or grade-level principals and Ms. Malicia Braxton (Rising-7^th) mybraxton@fcps.edu, Ms. Carly Zook (Rising-8^th), cjzook@fcps.edu .

More Stuff Families Should Know

Protect Your Child from Measles: What You Need to Know

Measles cases continue to rise in the US. 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.

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. 

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. 

Save the Date for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza

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

Activities will include student performances, story time, a moon bounce, and face painting. For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.

FCPS News

• Five FCPS Students Named Winners of 2025 National Merit Corporate-Sponsored Scholarships
• How Learning Led Her to Teaching: Mother in Search of Education for Autistic Son Becomes Teacher
• 🚦 Celebrating Tashima Bradshaw: A True FCPS Hero Behind the Wheel
• At Clearview, Learning Extends Beyond the Classroom
• Welcoming Families with Heartfelt Kindness to the Brookfield Community
• Marshall Road Students Have Tons of Fun Embracing School Compost Initiative
• 13 First Class Awards Recognize Inclusion and Positive Impact
• Honoring the Enslaved 16: A Ceremony of Remembrance and Reflection
• 23 Teachers Earn or Renew Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
• FCPS Superintendent Warns Students of Possible Cuts as Budget Deadline Looms
• Fairfax County Public Schools to Pilot Weapons Detection System in High Schools

News Stories

• FCPS Spring Break Programs Plant Seeds of Success for Students (FCPS - covered by WJLA and WTOP)
• Fairfax venue sponsors special education student prom free-of-charge

Month of the Military Child

April is the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community, and recognize their strength and resilience. Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS resources for military families. 

National Arab American Heritage Month

FCPS is proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

شهر التراث الوطني العربي الأمريكي

تفتخر مدارس FCPS بالإحتفال بشهر التراث الوطني العربي الأمريكي في أبريل/نيسان. يقدم هذا الشهر المميّز فرصة للتعرف على التاريخ الرائع والإسهامات القيمّة للعرب الأمريكيين. ينحدر العرب الأمريكيين من أصول تعود الى 22 دولة عربية في العالم، تمتد من منطقة شمال أفريقيا وحتى غرب آسيا. إن شعوب هذه الدول متنوعة من الناحية العرقية والسياسية والدينية لكنها تتقاسم موروث ثقافي ولغوي مشترك. تعرّف هنا على المزيد من المعلومات حول أشهر الإحتفال بالتراث، وباقي المناسبات والتقاليد التي يتم الإحتفال بها في مدارس FCPS.

National School Library Month

April is School Library Month and it's a great time to celebrate the essential role that school librarians play in the lives of students. School librarians ensure students have access to a wide variety of high-quality books and resources that connect them to the world and build a culture of literacy. Librarians develop lessons that are meaningful to students and help them develop critical thinking, inquiry, and information literacy skills. They support learning across all subject areas by teaching students the skills to be independent problem-solvers and creative thinkers. By creating a safe environment for all students to be engaged and curious learners, FCPS libraries are places where everyone belongs.Take a moment to learn more about FCPS Library Programs and share your appreciation of your school librarian!

🌈 Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month. One in 44 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students.

The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.

© 2025 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Rachna Sizemore Heizer  |  Phone: 571-423-1088

Staff Aide: Bill Farrar, 571-423-1076