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Upcoming Events
July 29: Golf Open House, 5-7pm, by tennis courts
August 4: Fall Sports Tryouts - Cheer, CC, Field Hockey, Football, Boys & Girls Volleyball
August 5-7: Lions On the Rise, 9am-12pm
August 7: Fresh Function, 5-6:30pm
August 14: New Student Orientation, 9-11am
August 14: Fear the Roar Open House JAM and Fairfax Academy Open House, 2-5pm
September 4: Back to School Night, 6:30-8pm
October 8: SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT
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🏋️ We are PUMPED for the New School Year!
July 18, 2025
Fairfax High School: We Are PUMPED UP for Your Return
The countdown has officially begun – in just one month, our halls will once again be filled with the energy and excitement of our amazing LIONS! We are absolutely PUMPED UP to welcome everyone back to Fairfax High School and kick off another fantastic academic year.
Our staff and team have been working tirelessly to prepare for your arrival, ensuring everything is in place for a smooth and successful start. Get ready for a year of making connections, deepening our educational experiences, and embracing the transformational opportunities that high school provides.
This newsletter includes many important upcoming dates for Back-to-School events. We have also included the new FCPS guidance around cell phones, please review the NEW policy with your student.
Until then, enjoy the rest of your summer, and get ready to ROAR at FHS!
Sincerely,
Included in this issue:
Community Spotlight
- Community Volunteers help spruce up campus!
School Spotlight
Calendar Reminders
- FHS Summer Office Hours
- First Day of School for 2025-26, August 18
- Save the Date: Back to School Events
- NEW: Class Meeting Dates
Fairfax Lions Need to Know:
- CELL PHONE POLICY Update
- Middle School and High School Grading Updates
- Security Screening Reminders
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
- FHS Bands Alumni - We Want You!
- Falls Sports Tryouts, August 4
- Quick Links
Volunteers Spruce Up the School Entrance
Last week, several volunteers from the Union Church - Falls Church Campus, partnered with Fairfax HS for their community-wide outreach event, Serve Day. They spent a hot, sunny afternoon clearing out the planters near the school's front entrance, relaying mulch, potting soil, and adding new flowers. They look beautiful and it was much needed! We appreciate their hard work! 🌼☀️
Our Inaugural Golf Camp was a Huge Success!
Congratulations to Coach Latimer and the Fairfax Golf Program!
This past week, Coach Latimer led a successful summer golf camp with 17 enthusiastic participants. It was a fantastic introduction to the game, filled with learning, growth, and fun on the course. Way to go, Fairfax Golf!
If your high schooler is interested in Golf - come to our Golf Open House on July 29th, 5-7pm by the tennis courts. Call the Activities office for more details, 703-219-2396.
🗓️Calendar Reminders
Fairfax HS Summer Office Hours
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FHS summer office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9am - 1pm, and closed on Fridays. 703-219-2200. |
🏫 Calendar Reminder: First Day of School
Save the Dates for these BTS Events!
Save the Dates! and join us for these Back to School events:
August 5-7, Lions on the Rise, 9am-12pm
- Join us for the 7th annual Lions on the Rise event for our incoming 9th graders; including games, spirit wear, FHS tours, and new friends!
August 7, Fresh Function, 5-6:30pm
- Rising 9th grade students and parents are invited to join the Administration and Student Services teams whoa re here to help you roar into Freshman year!
August 14
- New Student Orientation, 9-11am; Join us as we welcome our newest Lions! Hear from student leaders, tour the school, and more!
- Fear the Roar Open House Jam, 2-5pm
- 2:00-3:30pm visit classrooms and meet Teachers
- 2:00-5pm tour the building, buy swag, sign up for clubs, buy parking passes and more!
September 4, Back to School Night, 6:30-8pm
- 5:30: Sessions for Special Education, Multi-Language Learners, FLE
- 6:30-8pm: Visit classrooms and meet teachers
Save The Date - BTS Class Meetings!
Save the Date for these Class Meetings - Zoom links to follow!
- AUGUST 6th - JUNIOR Class Meeting
- 6pm-7pm VIRTUALLY
- Hosted by Class of 2027 Administrator, Troy Ketch
- AUGUST 7th - FRESHMAN Class Meeting
- 5pm-6:30pm IN PERSON
- Hosted by Class of 2029 Administrator, Dana Walker
- AUGUST 13th - SOPHOMORE Class Meeting
- 6pm-7pm VIRTUALLY
- Hosted by Class of 2028 Administrator, Berneatta Barnes
- SEPTEMBER 4th - SENIOR Class Meeting
- 5:30-6:30pm IN PERSON, before Back to School Night
- Hosted by Class of 2026 Administrator, Brian Plancich
Questions, call - 703-219-2200
📱Cell Phone Policy Update - Important!
Update:
Starting in school year 2025-26, high school students can no longer use their cell phones and other personal devices (AirPods, smart watches, etc.) during passing periods. Learn more below in "Grades 9-12."
FCPS' cell phone expectations for students help foster engagement, learning, and positive social behavior in the classroom.
Young people report that they have difficulty self-regulating their own technology use, even when it gets in the way of socializing, school or home obligations, or getting a good night's sleep. Educators and mental health professionals advise that students who don’t use their phones to communicate during the school day:
- Have fewer distractions and less difficulty learning.
- Experience more face-to-face interactions with peers and teachers, which are important to social-emotional wellbeing.
- Have more opportunities to develop resilience and independent problem-solving skills.
We encourage families to talk to their student about the FCPS cell phone policy and support their student by:
- Contacting the school’s front office (rather than the student directly) if there is a family emergency.
- Only communicating about non-urgent matters before or after the school day.
- Waiting to respond to non-urgent texts from students until the school day is over.
GRADES 9-12
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Cell phones and personal devices (airpods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell) with the exception of lunch time in designated lunch spaces. Phones can be stored in a locker or backpack during the day.
- Phone accessories are also to be silenced and away when phone use is prohibited. Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.
- Students are prohibited from using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms, unless there is a medical necessity or emergency.
If your student needs access to their phone for medical accommodations, it is important to note that the current cell phone policy and guidelines have not changed. Therefore, students who currently require access to a cell phone or another personally owned device for medical reasons, or an accommodation to access the curriculum and make progress to their individualized goals, will continue to have such access.
Use of Cell Phones and/or Cell Phone Accessories on FCPS Properties or at FCPS-sanctioned Events
Students are advised that the use of cell phones and/or cell phone accessories outside of the cell phone policy guidelines is a violation of student disciplinary rules. As such, schools will respond to the violations of the policy by following normal disciplinary procedures, in accordance with the FCPS Students Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document.
Possession of Cell Phones and/or Cell Phone Accessories on FCPS Properties or at FCPS-Sanctioned Events
All cell phones and/or cell phone accessories should be off and away during the school day in accordance with the FCPS cell phone policy. FCPS is not responsible for providing charging stations for personally owned devices nor does it perform repair or maintenance on cell phones and/or cell phone accessories.
Security, Theft, or Damage
Cell phone and/or cell phone accessories, including secure storage and care of these items, are the sole responsibility of the student. FCPS is not responsible for the security or safety of cell phones and/or cell phone accessories, nor for any loss, damage, or theft of these items.
Cell Phone and/or Cell Phone Accessory Damage
FCPS is not responsible for damage to cell phones and/or cell phone accessories that may occur in schools, at school-sanctioned functions, or on school property.
Acknowledgement of Understanding
Through the utilization of personal cell phones and cell phone accessories, the student and their parent/guardian implicitly affirm their understanding and agreement to abide by the stipulations articulated within this Cell Phone and Cell Phone Accessories Policy.
See information here Cell Phone Policy.
💯Middle School and High School Grading Updates
There will be new grading policies for all middle and high school classes in 2025-26. The goal of these changes is to increase consistency and clarity of grading practices. Learn about middle and high school grading policy updates.
Security Screening Reminders
As we approach the new school year, we wanted to remind our students that Open Gate screening will occur daily. The following items should be removed from bags to prevent false readings:
- Lunch boxes
- Laptops
- Binders
- Pencil Cases
- Glasses Cases
- Umbrellas
Thank you for your help and cooperation!
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
🎶🎺🥁 Looking for Band Alumni!
Calling all Fairfax HS Band Alumni! We are building our Alumni Network and we'd love to have you join. Click the link to register!
https://www.fhsbands.org/alumni
Fall Sports Tryouts Start August 4
FCPS has recently changed the website where students/parents will register for sports/activities at Fairfax HS. All students must be registered prior to tryouts. Click here for new site: NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION
Fall Sports tryouts start on Monday, August 4th, except for Golf that starts on Tuesday, July 29th.
For sport specific information reach out directly to the fall coaches:
Cheerleading - Nina Serafin, agserafin@fcps.edu
Cross Country - Joaquin Garcia, jmgarcia1@fcps.edu
Field Hockey - Mack Anderson, mpanderson@fcps.edu
Football - Trey Taylor, rstaylor@fcps.edu
Golf - Bill Latimer, wlatimer@fcps.edu
Boys Volleyball - Ethan Luu, emluu@fcps.edu
Volleyball - Sam Lee, sjlee2@fcps.edu
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NEW ACTIVITIES REGISTRATION SITE
FCPS has recently changed the website where students/parents will register for sports/activities at Fairfax HS. All students must be registered prior to tryouts. There was also an email from messaging@arbitersports.com, that went out on 6/20 with information on how to register, which can also be used. CLICK HERE to register your student athlete.
Please Note: Each family must create ONE new account—you can register multiple children under this single account. Previous log-ins will no longer work, so you must create a new account for this year. Once your new account is set up, log in and complete your student’s registration for the 2025–2026 school year.
Please use the NEW VHSL Physical Form, signed by a licensed physician. NEW PHYSICAL FORM
Physicals must be turned into the Activities Office or with Ms. Johnston or Ms. Rhodes in the Athletic Training Room. DO NOT hand physicals to your coach.
ALL TRANSFER STUDENTS by default are INELIGIBLE. More information can be found on the FCPS Website.
The NEW Guardian application process must be started before the transfer students is considered "bona fide" student.
NO TRANSFER IS ELIGIBLE UNTIL THERE IS NOTICE FROM THE GUARDIAN SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES A VHSL CITATION AND POST SEASON ELIGIBILITY.
If you have any questions, email Nancy Melnick, Director of Student Activities at NAMelnick@fcps.edu.
Quick Links
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