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Happy Staff Appreciation Week
During Staff Appreciation Week, May 5–9, 2025, we proudly celebrate the incredible team at Herndon High School. Your unwavering dedication, passion, and care make a lasting difference in the lives of our students and families every single day. Thank you for the heart, strength, and excellence you bring to our school community—you truly are the foundation of Herndon’s success.
 
May 05-09: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
May 05-09: International Heritage Club Spirit Week 2025
May 05-16: AP Exams, Various Locations
May 07: National School Nurse Day
May 07: Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation, 6:00 pm, Auditorium
May 10: FCPS Summer Extravaganza, 10:00 am, Woodson HS Parking Lot
May 17: "Night in Greece" Prom, 8:00, Washington Dulles Airport Marriott
May 18: Celebration of Life for Janie Strauss, 11:00 am, McLean HS
May 19: Sports Physicals
May 26: Holiday | Memorial Day
FCPS Standard School Year Calendar for 2024-25
International Heritage Club Spirit Week 2025
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Mon, May 5 - Announcements will introduce International Heritage Week; Join the International Heritage Club and experience the world! International Anthems/Music.
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Tue, May 6 - Trivia Day for Students in the Cafeteria; International Candy - Treats for Students; International Anthems/Music.
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Wed, May 7 - Students in the Cafeteria will write “I Love You” on a World Map; International Anthems/Music
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Thu, May 8 - Students will wear T-Shirt /Jersey or National Dress; International Anthems/Music
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Fri, May 9 - International Heritage Potluck in the College and Career Center; International Heritage Night, Dinner @ 5:00, Performance @ 6:00, $5 for Students, $10 for Adults; International Anthems/Music
SOL Spring 2025 Schedule
Herndon High School students will be taking one or more Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course (EOC) assessments between April 29 and May 30, 2025. All students have received their testing schedule and other important information via school e-mail in the middle of April 2025. All testing times will start at 8:10 am. The dates for the SOL tests are as follows:
- Monday, May 5, 2025 - Geosystems (Earth Science) SOL
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - Chemistry SOL
- Thursday, May 8, 2025 - Algebra 2 SOL
- Friday, May 9, 2025 - Geometry SOL
- Monday, May 12, 2025 - Reading and History SOL (Second Attempt – Seniors)
- Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - Biology SOL Math SOL (Second Attempt – Seniors
- Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - Biology SOL Science SOL (Second Attempt – Seniors)
- Thursday May 15, 2025, and Friday, May 16, 2025 - Reading SOL
- Monday, May 19, 2025, and Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - Algebra 1 SOL
- Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - Science SOL Expedited Retakes
- Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - Math SOL Expedited Retakes
If you have questions about SOL testing, please contact your student’s school counselor or our Assessment Coach, Dr. Karl Gussow.
- Monday, May 5, 2025 - 7:45: AP Biology, Lecture Hall
- Monday, May 5, 2025 - 11:45: AP Microeconomics, Lecture Hall
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - 7:45: AP Chemistry, Lecture Hall
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - 7:45: AP Human Geography, Aux Gym
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - 11:45: AP Government, Aux Gym
- Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - 745: AP English Lit & Comp, Aux Gym
- Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - 11:45: AP Comparative Govt, Lecture Hall
- Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - 11:45: AP Computer Science A, Aux Gym
- Thursday, May 8, 2025 - 7:45: AP Statistics, Aux Gym
- Thursday, May 8, 2025 - 11:45: AP World History, Aux Gym
- Friday, May 9, 2025 - 7:45: AP US History, Library
- Friday, May 9, 2025 - 11:45: AP Macroeconomics, Lecture Hall
- Monday, May 12, 2025 - 7:45: AP Calculus AB, Aux Gym
- Monday, May 12, 2025 - 7:45: AP Calculus BC, Aux Gym
- Monday, May 12, 2025 - 11:45: AP Music Theory, Lecture Hall
- Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - 7:45: AP French Language and Culture, Lecture Hall
- Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - 11:45: AP Environmental Sci, Aux Gym
- Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - 7:45: AP English Lang & Comp, Library
- Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - 11:45: AP Physics C: Mechanics, Lecture Hall
- Thursday May 15, 2025 - 7:45: AP Spanish Language, Lecture Hall
- Thursday May 15, 2025 - 7:45: AP Art History, Library
- Thursday May 15, 2025 - 11:45: AP Computer Science Principles, Aux Gym
- Friday May 16, 2025 - 7:45: AP Physics 1: Algebra Based, Library
- Friday May 16, 2025 - 11:45: AP Psychology, Aux Gym
✅ 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.
National School Nurse Day
National School Nurse Day is Wednesday, May 7. It is a day to recognize the many contributions that school nurses make to student health and learning.
FCPS appreciates the role of School Public Health Nurses (PHNs) for their contribution to the health and welfare of all our students. Professional school nurses support the needs of students through their delivery of healthcare, contributions to local school communities, and promotion of safety, prevention, and wellness throughout the year. They are advocates who bridge healthcare and education by supporting student health and readiness to learn. School nurses are essential to our community and work tirelessly to make a positive impact in the lives of their students.
Please join us in thanking the PHNs for their hard work and dedication to FCPS students.
Herndon High School also offers DMV Permit Testing for all eligible students that are 15 and 6 months old who would like to obtain their permit. Students must be registered through FCPS ACE (FCPS ACE Herndon Permit Test Registration ) the DMV Website (DMV Permit Test Registration ). Please be sure to register on BOTH websites. The test will be administered in room J104 at 3:15pm.
The permit test will be held on the following dates: May 7, 2025, May 21, 2025, May 28, 2025, June 4, 2025
Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation
The final Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation will be held on May 7, 2025 at 6:00 pm sharp. Please arrive by 5:45 in the Herndon High School Auditorium.
"Partners for Safe Teen Driving" presentation is a crucial component of the teen driver education process in Virginia. This is a 90-minute parent-teen traffic safety presentation. It is designed to increase awareness of driving risks and promote safe driving habits. Attendance at the Partners for Safe Teen Driving presentation is mandatory for students completing driver education in Virginia.
The Driver Education Certificate of Completion (DEC-District 8), often referred to as the "pink card," is issued after a student successfully completes both the classroom driver education and the Partners for Safe Teen Driving presentation. This card is essential for progressing to the next steps in the licensing process.
After students obtain their DEC 8 card, they may then register for the “in car” driving component of the licensing process through by registering through FCPS ACE Behind the Wheel classes or a commercial driving school. Flyer is available here.
☀️ Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas
 Let’s transform summer learning together!
The FCPS Summer Extravaganza is an exciting event that helps families imagine all the possibilities to continue learning over the summer. This is possible by showcasing interactive and immersive activities for children and the power of collaboration across FCPS offices and community partners.
Several departments within Fairfax County Public Schools—including Transportation, the Office of Multilingual Learners (ESOL Services), the Hispanic Educators Association, Career and Transition Services, Get2Green, the Office of Intervention and Prevention Services, and Safety and Security—are collaborating to create a day filled with engaging and educational activities for all FCPS students. In addition, various student school clubs will be in attendance, showcasing their initiatives and contributions. This year, we're excited to introduce the Student Program Marketplace, a new feature where students will present and sell their handmade goods, with proceeds supporting their respective programs. This initiative is supported and led by Educate Fairfax; a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for Fairfax County Public Schools students
The Summer Extravaganza will feature:
- Activities for children of all ages that inspire curiosity and a love of learning
- Opportunities for adults to learn how to support student well-being and academic success
- A special section of student-led activities
We invite you to attend and engage with our FCPS community.
Event Details Date: Saturday, May 10 Time: 10:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Location: Woodson High School Parking Lot (9525 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22031) REGISTER TODAY!
Please let us know if you will be able to attend by replying to this email.
We look forward to celebrating a summer of learning and growth with you. For more details, please visit our Summer Extravaganza webpage. This event is proudly sponsored by Educate Fairfax! Flyer in English and Spanish.
"Night in Greece" Prom
Prom is almost upon us! For seniors, prom is one of your last opportunities to dress up with all your HHS friends and make memories that will last a lifetime. Class of 2026 has gone all out to plan this year's Night in Greece prom, so we hope to see you there!
Here is the link to order your prom tickets online. Tickets are $75. After you order, make sure you turn in your permission forms to the main office. If you are bringing a guest (high school aged and under 21 only), make sure you get that form approved by May 16, 2025. (We will sell during some lunches, but this is the fastest way to purchase tickets).
Link: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZQWBKS04NJ8_ZZ66QT8RTOTRZEM
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Celebration of Life for Janie Strauss
The Strauss Family invites you to celebrate the life of Janie Strauss on Sunday, May 18th at 11:00 am at McLean High School Auditorium.
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.
Memorial Day Holiday
Dismissal Schedule for the Last Day of School
On the last day of school, Wednesday, June 11, school will be dismissed at 10:10 am. The Senior & Underclassmen End of the Year Calendar is now available (here).
Herndon's Amazing Staff
A well-rounded and supportive school staff is crucial for a positive and productive learning environment in a high school, impacting student success and development. The Herndon High School staff, from teachers to support staff, plays a critical role in shaping our students’ educational journey and preparing them for the future. Thank you for all that you do – your contributions are truly invaluable!
Senior & Underclassmen End of the Year Calendar
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The updated Senior & Underclassmen End of the Year Calendar is now available. The calendar shows the dates for senior and underclassmen final exam or assessments and senior culminating events. Click here for details. |
Sports Physicals
Only two weeks left to register for an appointment!
Herndon High School will be hosting their Sports Physicals on Monday, May 19th. Take advantage of this opportunity and cross it off your to do list for next year now while supporting the Athletic Training program! A new sports physical is needed for each school year. You are always welcome to get a sports physical through your family physician or an urgent care center- this event is offered for your convenience and is our Athletic Training Program’s only fundraiser.
Did you know? This is an incredibly important night for us because FCPS only provides the athletic training personnel, not the supplies we need to help your kids. The money earned is used to purchase the supplies that allow us to help our student-athletes stay healthy and play to their highest potential. Every piece of gauze, glove, roll of tape, ice bag, bandage, nose plug, brace, crutch…everything you see us use is purchased through the funds earned at this annual event. Without your support we would not be able to provide the services we do for our student-athletes. Just for reference- 1 physical does not even cover the cost of 1 case of tape (we go through 100+ cases per year).
Physicals are $50- payable by cash or check on site or pre-paid through MySchoolBucks prior to the event. All details will be provided in a confirmation email when appointments are made. Additional donations or ‘sponsorships’ for student-athletes who may not be able to afford this opportunity are always welcome. We ensure forms are complete and there are no issues (unless a doctor notices something that warrants further medical attention). All forms will be put on file so kids are ready to go- you’ll just need to complete online registration for whatever activity they choose.
Click here to make an appointment: 2025 Sports Physical Registration. You will receive a confirmation email within 48 business hours of scheduling. THANK YOU for your continued support of our Athletic Training Program!
The VHSL has changed the physical form this year- only this form will be accepted from now on! Do NOT use the old 4 page form- it will no longer be accepted. Please print and take this to the doctor with you when you go. The form can be found at: https://www.vhsl.org/vhsl-physical-form/
Legislation introduced in the Virginia General Assembly and recently signed into law will result in two significant changes to the athletic pre-participation examination (physical) requirements for FCPS student-athletes:
- Beginning July 1, 2025, athletic physicals will be considered valid for a period of 14 months from the date the form is signed by the medical provider completing the exam. This is the date on page 3 of the VHSL Athletic Participation/Parent Consent/Physical Examination Form (revised January 2021).
- Students may use a physical exam form completed during the 2024-25 school year to participate in high school sports during the 2025-26 school year.
- Students utilizing a form from the 2024-25 school year will likely need a new physical at some point during the 2025-26 school year, possibly even within their athletic season, to remain eligible to participate.
- NOTE: If the expiration date falls on a date that does not exist (September 31 or February 30 for example), the form will expire on the last day of that month.
- Beginning May 1, 2025, FCPS student-athletes are EXPECTED to have athletic physicals completed on the new VHSL Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Evaluation Form (revised April 2025).
- Student-athletes MUST submit, at minimum, pages 1, 2 AND 3 of the new form to be eligible to participate.
- This includes the two pages from the VHSL (pages 1 and 2) AND the Medical Eligibility Form (page 3).
- This form will be valid for a period of 14 months from the date the form is signed by the medical provider completing the exam. This is the date on the Medical Eligibility Form (page 3).
- Physicals completed on the “old” form dated July 1, 2025 and beyond WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Any questions, comments, or concerns? Please contact Lisa Petruzzi (LTPetruzzi@fcps.edu)
Yearbooks For Sale!
Our yearbook is finished and off to the printing press – secure yours while they are still available! Head over to yearbookordercenter.com to purchase the 2025 yearbook. Our school code is 8967. Books start at $65. Prices go up to $80 on May 1.Students receiving free/reduced lunch can pick up an order form in the main office to purchase a yearbook at a reduced cost.
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School Health Room Updates
The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. However, with parent or guardian permission, a high school student may transport over-the-counter medications to and from the school health room. If your student will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, the existing medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program, but you will need to pick up the medication on the last day of school and deliver the medication and completed forms to the summer learning site on the first day of the summer program. Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s).
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Library News
Seniors
Graduating seniors should check Destiny Discover to see if they have any outstanding library fines or books. To get to Destiny Discover, go to the HHS Library Schoology Course and look for the folder called “Find Books Here.” Students should open Destiny Discover, log in through their Google account, and look for “My Stuff.”
 While we do not charge overdue fines, your student may see a “fine” on their account. When a book has been checked out for over a year, Destiny removes the book from our inventory and charges the student a fine. We would rather get the book back than collect money! Once the book has been returned, the fine will be erased.
Outstanding books and fines can delay students receiving their caps and gowns.
Testing & Library Availability
The library will be available most days throughout testing. However, some activities will be impacted. We will post notices on lunches, printing, research assistance and book checkout through our Schoology course.
4th Quarter
As the year winds down, remember the librarians are here to help students with any research they may need to complete. We are always happy to help your students succeed!
Also, 4th quarter means time to search for all those outstanding library books. Students can check their Destiny Discover any time to see what is outstanding, but we will also be sending communications with that information, so keep your eyes open.
🩹 Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and 12th Graders
Additional immunizations are required for students entering 7th and 12th grades:
- All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- To meet the Tdap requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 7 or older.
- To meet the MenACWY requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.
- As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child not receive the HPV vaccination. The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student not to receive the HPV vaccination.
- All students entering 12th grade are to receive one dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) prior to the beginning of school.
- To meet the MenACWY 12th grade requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 16 or older.
Please consider getting your child’s immunizations early so that they can attend school in the fall. Summer is a busy time for families and health care providers. As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time. Additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and the Fairfax County Health Department.
Excellence at a Crossroads: FCPS Budget Update
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will begin finalizing the budget on Tuesday, May 6. The current advertised budget underfunds FCPS by $150 million.
Without new revenue, such as the meals tax (adding just $2-3 to an average dining bill for a family of four), FCPS will face significant cuts.
What Is at Risk?
Go to fcps.edu/crossroads to see examples of where FCPS exceeds minimum state standards.
Gifts for a Deserving Staff
To kick off Staff Appreciation Week, each mailbox was filled with a special gift bag topped with Herndon’s signature red and black tissue paper! It’s a small token of our deep gratitude for everything our amazing staff does to support students and each other every day. Thank you for making Herndon High School such a special place!
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. We All Belong Here!
In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at our school — a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
🚗 Online Driving Permit Test Prep Offered by ACE
Nearly 35,000 students have been educated by FCPS ACE’s Driver Education program in the last decade, preparing them to be safe, responsible drivers.
In Virginia alone, 17% of all accidents are caused by distracted driving, amounting to over 21,000 accidents that could have been avoided. The Virginia DMV reports that driver education plays a significant role in safer driving by young drivers, with some studies showing that it can reduce accident rates by up to 20%.
ACE now offers one of the only online permit test prep courses authorized by the state of Virginia. Learn more about driver education and FCPS ACE Driver Education courses.
No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students
Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as:
- Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss.
- Anxiety, worry, fears.
- Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships.
- Academic stress.
Students can be referred by a guardian or designated school staff member. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting an FCPS school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.
🌱 Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services
Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports to include medication assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and more.
Contact CSB Entry and Referral by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.
📞 FCPS Ombuds Office Provides Confidential Guidance
The Office of the Ombuds engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help answer questions, offer options to resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters. Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, text 571-496-8284, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Parent Information Line Available in Eight Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- FCPS Budget Update
- Required Immunizations
- Mental Health Resources
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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