Week of May 12

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 05/12/2025 03:15 PM EDT

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Town of Herndon Honors Staff

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It was a heartwarming scene at the Staff Appreciation luncheon on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, as Herndon's Mayor Keven J. LeBlanc, Jr., presented Dr. Noto with an official Proclamation from the Town of Herndon in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. The event, thoughtfully sponsored by the PTSA, was also graced by the presence of PTSA President Richard Culatta, Dranesville District School Board Member Robyn Lady and Herndon's College and Career Specialist, Deb Peirce, who joined in the recognition. In a further demonstration of his gratitude, Mayor LeBlanc also penned a personal letter of appreciation for each and every staff member, underscoring the town's deep respect for their dedication.

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In This Issue:

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Calendar

April 29-May 30: SOL Testing, Various Locations

May 05-16: AP Exams, Various Locations

May 13: The Pride of Herndon Band Spring Concert, 7:00 pm, Auditorium

May 16: Herndon Orchestra’s CFA Spirit Day, All Day, North Point Village Chick-fil-A

May 17: "Night in Greece" Prom, 8:00 pm, Washington Dulles Airport Marriott  

May 18: Celebration of Life for Janie Strauss, 11:00 am, McLean HS

May 19: Sports Physicals

May 19: Phase 2 Community Boundary Review Meetings, 6:30-8:00 pm

May 20-23: Senior Final Exams/Assessments

May 21: DMV Permit Testing, 3:15 pm, Room J104

May 26: Holiday | Memorial Day

May 28: Coffee for Dollars, All Day, Weird Brothers Coffee

FCPS Standard School Year Calendar for 2024-25

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Events

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

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People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Jewish American Heritage Month

May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

AP Exam Schedule

  • 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

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 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.

SOL Testing Modified Bell Schedule

Due to SOL testing, the bell schedule will be modified this week. Please see the schedule below.

  • Monday, May 12, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th)
  • Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - Modified Bell Schedule (8th, Teacher Advisory & Stinger 5, 6th, 2nd)
  • Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - Modified Bell Schedule (7th, 3rd, 5th, 1st)
  • Thursday May 15, 2025 - Modified Bell Schedule (Stinger 6 & Stinger 7, 2nd, 6th, 8th)
  • Friday, May 16, 2025 - Modified Bell Schedule (3rd, 1st, 5th, 7th)

  • Monday, May 19, 2025 - Modified Bell Schedule (8, ST8, TA 6, 2)

FCPS Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Public Hearing

The School Board will hold a public hearing on final budget adjustments on Tuesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. Sign up to speak by Monday, May 12, at 4:30 p.m.

The Pride of Herndon Band Spring Concert

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Get ready to experience the vibrant sounds of The Pride of Herndon Band at their Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 13th, at 7:00 pm in the Herndon High School Auditorium! This special performance marks the final concert of the school year and a poignant farewell to the talented class of 2025. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate their musical achievements and enjoy an evening of fantastic music!

Orchestra Chick-Fil-A Day

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Please support the Herndon Orchestra’s last spirit day at the North Point Village Chick-fil-A all day Friday, May 16th. The orchestra boosters will receive a percentage back to support the orchestra program.  Mention Spirit Day in person or use the code ORCHESTRA (all caps) when ordering in the app. Flyer available here.

☀️ Summer Internship Program for Students

FCPS is launching a Summer Internship Program. This six-week, paid, in-person opportunity is for FCPS high school students or recent alumni enrolled in post-secondary education. This program is designed to provide valuable hands-on work experience, professional development, and project-based learning across various FCPS departments.

Interns will support professional staff in their selected department with projects and participate in weekly professional development workshops on topics such as personal finance, communication skills, resume writing, and networking. Interns will shadow staff completing mission-critical projects that prepare the division for the upcoming school year.

The interest form will close on Friday, May 16, at 4 p.m. Learn more about this internship program, which supports FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation.

A "Night in Greece" Prom

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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

Celebration of Life for Janie Strauss

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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.

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)

Phase 2 Community Boundary Review Meetings

Families, staff, and community members will soon be able to explore and visualize potential boundary scenarios using a customized Boundary Explorer Tool. The tool will be accessible from the FCPS website. You are also invited to participate in another series of community meetings in order to review and reflect on the initial draft scenarios before the start of summer break.

Each meeting will be hybrid, meaning that you may attend in person or via Zoom. Childcare for in-person participants and language interpretation/translation for all participants will be available as needed. Registration links will be shared soon. Another round of community meetings will be held in the fall.

Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review page for more information.

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.

🎓 Senior Final Exam/Assessment Schedule

Seniors final exams/assessments start on Tuesday, May 20 and conclude on Friday, May 23rd. The schedule is listed below and the Senior & Underclassmen End of the Year Calendar is available here.

  • Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - 11:20 – 1:19: 5th Pd Exam, 1:27 – 2:55: 7th Pd Exam
  • Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - 11:20 – 1:19: 6th Pd Exam, 1:27 – 2:55: 8th Pd Exam
  • Thursday, May 22, 2025 - 8:10 – 9:37: 1st Pd Exam, 9:45 – 11:12: 3rd Pd Exam, 11:12: Senior Dismissal, 11:12: Senior Laptop & Charger Collection, Tech Office
  • Friday, May 23, 2025 - 8:10 – 9:37: 2nd Pd Exam, 9:37: Senior Dismissal, 9:45 - 11:45: Senior Laptop & Charger Collection, Tech Office

The updated Senior & Underclassmen End of the Year Calendar is now available.

DMV Permit Testing at Herndon High School

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 21, 2025, May 28, 2025, June 4, 2025

Memorial Day Holiday

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, for the Memorial Day holiday. Learn about the history of Memorial Day. See the complete school year calendar.

Coffee for Dollars

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All Day May 28th!

Show this flyer and a generous portion of all proceeds benefit Herndon High School 2028 Graduating Class. You drink coffee, they benefit! (Show the printed or digital flyer at checkout.)

Weird Brothers Coffee - Embrace the Dark Side!

  • Roasting Factory, 321 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon, VA, 703.657.0941
  • Village at Leesburg Center, 1601 Village Market Blvd SE #122, Leesburg, VA 20175, 703.777.7200
  • Worldgate Business Park, 13035 A Worldgate Drive, Herndon, VA, 703.817.2300

🎓 Tuesday, June 3 (Early Dismissal)

On Tuesday, June 3rd, 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will be dismissed at 10:30 am.  The bell schedule for the day is below.

  • 8:10 - 8:51: 2nd Pd Class
  • 8:59 - 9:40: 6th Pd Class
  • 9:48 - 10:30: 8th Pd Class
  • 10:30: Dismissal

Staff will be preparing for the graduation of the Class of 2025 at EagleBank Arena later that day. Please plan accordingly. The Senior & Underclassmen End of the Year Calendar is now available (here).

Girls Flag Football Clinic

As FCPS explores the viability of Girls Flag Football and considers including it in our athletic offerings at the high school level we are pleased to partner with the Washington Commanders to bring a free Girls Flag Football clinic to C.G. Woodson High School, on June 7, 2025. The clinic will provide students with an opportunity to experience the game under the excellent direction of experienced flag coaches. Interested FCPS students can register for the event now! We also invite anyone interested in coaching to attend, observe, and ask questions!!! Please see information on the flyer.

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).

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World Language Governor's Academy

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The World Language Department is thrilled to announce that Sofia Bentolila and Andrew Savage have been selected to attend the prestigious and highly selective World Language Governor’s Academies this summer!

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Information

End of Year Tech Updates

Senior Laptop Collection

Seniors can begin turning in their laptops and chargers as soon as they are finished with exams.

  • May 22 is the first day of senior early dismissal, so we will be ready in the tech office for collection.
  • May 23 laptops and chargers need to be turned in before they can pick up their cap & gown.

Senior Access to FCPS Account

Parents of Senior Students, please pass on the following information to your student, as well. Please remember that soon after graduation, you will lose access to your FCPS account. Why is that extremely important? You will lose access to SIS StudentVUE, and there are quite a few academic documents in there that may be helpful. Not to mention, most colleges/universities will ask for your immunization records, and having instant access is helpful versus requesting them through your pediatrician’s office. Think about how many papers and projects you have saved in your FCPS Google Drive. And think how helpful it may be to have access to work you have already done if a similar topic and/or assignment comes up next year while in college. There are many other reasons to save your documents to a personal folder, but just take the time to do so before you lose access. Information about how to download your Google Drive can be found in the Herndon All School Schoology Course updates from Wednesday 5/7.

Underclassmen Laptop Collection

Underclassmen will keep their laptops with these exceptions:

  • Students who will not return to Herndon can turn their laptop and charger into the tech office at any time.
  • Students who will return but do not wish to keep their laptop over the summer can turn it in any time before June 11.
  • Students taking summer credit recovery are reminded to keep their laptops.

Rising 9th Graders

Rising 9th graders will pick up their Chromebooks at the start of the school year for 2025-2026. Anyone wishing to pick up their Chromebook for summer schoolwork can reach out to the tech office and arrange a pickup date/time. Contact Mrs. Smith at losmith@fcps.edu.

Missing Chargers

Anyone missing a charger can purchase a new one from the main office. As of today, the charger cost is $25.

Yearbooks For Sale!

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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.

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.”

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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.

School Health Room Updates

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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).

🩹 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. 

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Washington Nationals Fieldtrip

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Mr. Polaha, the energetic Health & PE teacher, orchestrated a memorable outing for his Adaptive PE class on May 7, 2025. With the invaluable support of four dedicated instructional assistants, the group journeyed to Nationals Park to soak in the excitement of a Washington Nationals baseball game. The sunny afternoon provided a perfect backdrop for the students to enjoy America's pastime, fostering camaraderie and creating lasting memories beyond the walls of the gymnasium.

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Resources

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
  • Summer Internships for Students
  • Summer Learning Activities and Ideas

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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