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Only Sixteen School Days Left
Dear Neighbors,
With only sixteen school days left in the school year, our students and staff are closing out strong—and this edition of the Providence District newsletter is packed with updates that reflect the energy running through our schools. From inspiring scholarship celebrations and student-led sustainability efforts to national recognition for academic and artistic excellence, there is much to be proud of.
We’re also entering a critical phase in the School Board’s work on the FY 2026 budget. Last week’s public hearing drew more than 150 speakers, and this week we’ll hold a final work session on Tuesday, followed by a vote on Thursday night. You’ll find more details below, along with information on graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2025, upcoming community events, and important news on school safety and the Superintendent’s boundary review process.
As always, thank you for staying connected and supporting our students and schools.
In service,
Karl Frisch
Chair and Providence District Representative
Fairfax County School Board
Table of Contents
Next Steps in the School Division’s Budget Process
Last week, the School Board held a nearly six-hour public hearing where more than 150 students, educators, parents, and community members shared their views on the FY 2026 budget. Their input came as we consider the Superintendent’s revised proposal, which outlines how FCPS plans to address a $121.3 million shortfall in requested funding while continuing to prioritize classrooms, educators, and student success.
The proposal includes several expenditure adjustments, including a reduction in the initially proposed 7% salary increase for all employees. The revised proposal includes a 6% pay increase for teachers and operational employees and a 5% increase for all others. To meet the funding gap, the proposal also defers new social studies instructional materials and implements staffing formula changes that would reduce an average of fewer than 1.5 positions per school.
Next steps in the budget process include a School Board work session tonight, Tuesday, May 20 (5:00 p.m. at Gatehouse Administration Center) and a final vote this Thursday, May 22, at the regular School Board meeting (7:00 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School).
Class of 2025 – Providence District Graduation Ceremonies
Graduation season is almost here in Fairfax County, and we’re proud to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025. These ceremonies mark an important milestone for our students and their families. You can review the full list of upcoming graduations, or I have included schools attended by Providence District students below:
- Fairfax High School: Thursday, June 5, 8:30 a.m., Fairfax High School
- Falls Church High School: Monday, June 9, 2 p.m., EagleBank Arena
- Madison High School: Tuesday, June 3, 10:00 a.m., DAR Constitution Hall
- Marshall High School: Monday, June 2, 10 a.m., DAR Constitution Hall
- McLean High School: Tuesday, June 3, 2:30 p.m., DAR Constitution Hall
- Oakton High School: Monday, June 2, 2 p.m., EagleBank Arena
- Woodson High School: Tuesday, June 10, 9:30 a.m., EagleBank Arena
- Thomas Jefferson HSST Wednesday, June 11, 9:30 a.m., EagleBank Arena
- Mountain View High School: Tuesday, June 3, 5 p.m., Centreville High School
- Cedar Lane School: Friday, May 30, 3:30 p.m., Cedar Lane School
- Davis Career Center: Monday, June 9, 12 p.m., Marshall High School
- Fairfax County Adult High School: Thursday, June 5, 5 p.m., Thomas Jefferson HSST
- Interagency Alternative Schools: Wednesday, June 4, 5 p.m., Lake Braddock Secondary
- Kilmer Center School: Friday, May 30, 10:00 a.m., Kilmer Center
Proclamation Honoring Congressman Gerry Connolly
You are invited to join the School Board at our regular meeting on Thursday, June 12, as we adopt a proclamation honoring Congressman Gerry Connolly – a Providence District resident – for his lifetime of service to Fairfax County. All are welcome to join us in person as we show our appreciation for a public servant whose impact can be seen across our schools and neighborhoods.
The proclamation highlights Congressman Connolly’s tireless advocacy for increased education funding, critical services for at-risk students, and work expanding access to full-day kindergarten and middle school after-school programs. Join us as we thank Congressman Connolly for a lifetime of service defined by an unwavering commitment to the people of Fairfax County.
Meeting Details:
📅 Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
🕔 Time: Between approximately 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Luther Jackson Middle School Auditorium
Subscribe to Supervisor Palchik’s Newsletter
Be sure to sign up for Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik’s “Palchik Post” newsletter to stay informed about her work for us on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, as well as news and events from the Providence District and across the County.
Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge Awards
I had the pleasure of attending the 2025 Fairfax Area High School Shark Tank Technology Challenge finalist ceremony at the Fairfax County Government Center. Hosted by the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, this annual competition invites students to develop innovative apps or devices that improve the lives of older adults and individuals with disabilities. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we empower young people to apply their creativity and compassion to real-world challenges.
Congratulations to this year’s Technology Challenge Innovators! I’m especially proud to recognize Aryan Rathour, a McLean High School student and resident of the Providence District, who earned an honorable mention for his team’s project, “CHAT” — a mobile app designed to reduce social isolation among seniors. You can learn more about the challenge and this year’s impressive projects on the NCS Shark Tank webpage.
Hispanic Leadership Alliance Honors Scholars at 20th Annual Banquet
I had the honor of joining the Hispanic Leadership Alliance for its 20th Annual Scholarship Banquet, where we celebrated 32 outstanding students. This year’s scholars—boasting an average GPA above 4.1—are heading to impressive institutions including Princeton and UVA – Wahoowa!
Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients, including three students from the Providence District: Heidi Arze (Marshall High School), Bredd García (Falls Church High School), and Katya Márquez Martínez (Oakton High School).
Honoring Excellence at the Asian Leadership Alliance Scholarship Banquet
Last Friday evening, I had the pleasure of attending the Asian Leadership Alliance’s annual scholarship banquet to honor three remarkable scholarship recipients—Sophie Zhang, An Duong, and Kimberly Hoang. The evening was filled with inspiration and pride, made even more meaningful by the strong presence of FCPS leaders and community members who gathered to support and celebrate these students’ hard work, perseverance, and promising futures.
Celebrating Our National Merit Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to the 28 students recently named winners of the National Merit Scholarship, a prestigious academic recognition of top-performing high school seniors across the country based on their PSAT scores, academic achievements, and potential for success in college. I’m especially proud to recognize three students from the Providence District: Dhruv Chandna (computer science) and Jason Hao (financial quantitative analysis) of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, and Chloe Choi (chemical engineering) of Woodson High School.
Marshall Road Elementary Students Lead the Way in Sustainability
Bravo to the students at Marshall Road Elementary School who are making a real impact by composting their lunch scraps—hands-on learning at its best! It’s inspiring to see young leaders like Cami Poliner, a student from the Providence District, taking initiative and championing sustainability in their school community. Since launching its composting program in January 2023, the school has diverted nearly 30 tons of food waste from landfills—an impressive achievement that shows the power of student-led action.
FCPS Named One of the “Best Communities for Music Education”
FCPS has once again been recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM) as one of the Best Communities for Music Education—our 12th time receiving this prestigious honor. The award celebrates school divisions that demonstrate outstanding commitment to providing music as part of a well-rounded education, thanks to the collaborative efforts of teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community members.
FCPS music programs continue to earn national and international acclaim, with student ensembles regularly performing at major conferences and educators receiving prestigious awards and recognition at the local, state, and national levels. This recognition highlights the strength and vibrancy of music education throughout the division.
Update on the Superintendent’s Comprehensive Boundary Review
Feedback from a dozen community meetings during Phase 1 of the Superintendent’s boundary review process offered key insights into the community’s perspectives. The boundary consultants analyzed that feedback, as well as the input received via email and the online platform.
This data informed the creation of three initial draft boundary scenarios: Neighborhood Connectivity, Cohort Continuity, and Comprehensive Balance. The community can explore and visualize how these initial scenarios may affect boundaries by using the Boundary Explorer Tool.
The current scenarios are not final. FCPS will develop a refined set of scenarios using feedback from the community meetings, the Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee, and comments submitted through the online tools.
A third round of community meetings will take place this fall.
Initial Draft Boundary Scenarios
Potential adjustments are grouped into three potential scenarios, each focusing on a different set of high-impact boundary issues across the county. These scenarios are cumulative, meaning each one builds on the one before it:
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Scenario 1 - Neighborhood Connectivity: Focusing on affecting the fewest families, Scenario 1 addresses clear geographic irregularities like attendance islands or situations where a school building is located outside its own attendance zone.
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Scenario 2 - Cohort Continuity: This builds directly on Scenario 1 and goes a step further by tackling split feeder patterns – situations where students from the same school are divided into multiple middle or high schools.
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Scenario 3 - Comprehensive Balance: This scenario adds the most extensive adjustments. It incorporates Scenarios 1 and 2, and division-wide changes to address overcrowding and balance school capacities over the long term.
Phase 2 Community Boundary Review Meetings
Families, staff, and other community members are invited to participate in another series of community meetings, allowing them to review and reflect on the initial draft scenarios before the start of summer break. Of the eight scheduled meetings, five remain:
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Friday, May 23, 7-8:30 p.m. at Lewis High School
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Wednesday, May 28, 7-8:30 p.m. at Annandale High School
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Thursday, May 29, 6:30-8 p.m. at Whitman Middle School
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Friday, May 30, 6:30-8 p.m. at Chantilly High School
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Friday, June 6, 6:30-8 p.m. at Glasgow Middle School
Each meeting will be hybrid. Childcare for in-person participants and language interpretation and translation for all participants will be available as needed.
Stop for School Buses or Face a Fine
Cameras have been installed on the stop arms of 50 school division buses to help identify drivers who illegally pass while children are boarding or exiting the bus. Now that the initial warning period has ended, citations are actively being issued to violators.
Under Virginia law, drivers must stop for school buses with flashing red lights and extended stop signs, regardless of the direction they are traveling—unless there is a physical barrier or median separating the lanes. Drivers must remain stopped until all passengers are safely clear and the bus begins moving again.
Careers with FCPS
Many in our community have lost their jobs serving us in the federal government, where they played critical roles in scientific advancements, national security, law enforcement, and more. FCPS welcomes their expertise to help shape the future of our students. Visit our careers website for more information about current job openings, job fairs, and recruitment events.
Upcoming Plays and Musicals
This month, I had the pleasure of attending several elementary, middle, and high school theatre productions—and I continue to be amazed by the incredible talent of our students.
Spring is when our school stages truly come alive, reflecting months of hard work, creativity, and collaboration from students, educators, and devoted volunteers.
While the curtain has closed on this year’s high school productions in the Providence District, there are still a few opportunities to see our talented middle school performers shine:
Kilmer Middle School
Thoreau Middle School
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Regular Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)
- Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. (Revised FY26 Budget)
- Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (OAG Annual Report)
All meetings are broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. Meetings are also recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS YouTube channel. Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at regular meetings or public hearings.
Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español: Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español.
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.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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