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Welcome to the 25-26 School Year!
Jaguar Families,
Welcome to the Falls Church High School (FCHS) 2025-2026 school year! I hope that you have had a restful and enjoyable summer! The entire staff is busy preparing to welcome our 2,100 new and returning students on August 18, 2025.
We know that students are excited to see their class schedules for the year. All students/parents in FCPS will be able to access class schedules using StudentVUE/ParentVUE on Thursday, August 14 at 6:00am.
There is much happening at FCHS and I encourage all families, including returning families, to take some time to review the important information below. The information below will also be available on the FCHS website.
We look forward to working with you toward a successful school year!
Go Jags!
Ben Nowak, Principal
Upcoming Events!
We've planned some exciting back-to-school events to kick off the new year, and we can't wait to see you there!
- Open House: August 14, 2:00-4:00 pm
- Back-To-School Night: August 27, 5:30-7:30 pm
Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar, Ivannia Retana-Mora if you need a code.
Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Required Forms and Information Updates for All Students - Online Verification/Update Packet (OVU)
Parents can now update information for their child in one easy location. It is crucial that all families review information in ParentVue to ensure that we have up-to-date contact information and health information to best care for your child throughout the school year.
To access the Online Verification Update packet you will log-in to SIS ParentVUE and click on the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right hand corner. If you are accessing via the app on your phone click on the “OLR - Online Packets” button at the top of the screen. You can access more directions and details here.
Note that the OVU packet must be updated by the enrolling parent online.
Parental Digital Consent (PDC) - OPT-OUTs
Families can log in to the PDC using their ParentVUE credentials to complete consent forms assigned to their child.
Forms available in the PDC starting in the 2025-2026 school year include:
- Required Forms
- Consent for Release of Student Records in Support of Postsecondary Applications
- Digital Resource Consent 2025-2026
- Required for students to access FCPS approved digital tools in the classroom. These tools are regularly embedded into lessons across all courses and grade levels.
- GCP Google Domain 2025-2026 - Secondary
- Optional Forms
- 8th/10th/12th Grade Fairfax County Youth Survey
- Commercial Release of Student Information
- Denial of Access to Military Recruiters
- Directory Information
- Family Life Education Grade 9 Opt-out 2025-2026
- Family Life Education Grade 10 Opt-out 2025-2026
- Family Life Education Grade 11 Opt-out 2025-2026
- Family Life Education Grade 12 Opt-out 2025-2026
- Hazel Health
- OPT-OUT FORM: FCPS-ISSUED LAPTOP
- Please see the benefits of using an FCPSOn device here
- SEL Screener Participation
- School Counseling Opt-Out
Student Schedules
Student schedules will be live in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE on Thursday, August 14 at 6:00 am. If you have trouble accessing a schedule, we encourage you to attend the Open House in the afternoon (2:00 - 4:00 pm) on August 14 or reach out to your child’s counselor or one of our Family Liaisons. For those new to FCPS, you’ll need a password which can be obtained at the Open House or the first day of school. All students will receive a printed schedule in 1st period on the first day.
Update Immunizations and Records
Make sure your child has all of their required immunizations before the first day of school. Check their immunization records to see what they might be missing. You can:
- Request immunization records online through the Virginia Immunization Information System (a free service).
- Get records from other states’ systems if your child was immunized outside of Virginia.
- Request records from your health care provider. Some may charge for copies.
Review school-required immunizations to verify that your child is up to date.
Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and 12th Graders
Several 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 before the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria, the Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal (MenACWY), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
- To meet the Tdap requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age seven or older.
- To meet the MenACWY requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.
- Parents/guardians may choose for their child to not receive the HPV vaccination. Documentation is not required to opt out of the HPV vaccination.
- All students entering 12th grade are required to receive one dose of the MenACWY vaccine before the beginning of school.
- To meet the MenACWY 12th grade requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 16 or older.
As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.
Where to Receive Immunizations
If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your family’s health care provider or one of the following clinics:
FCHD offers limited walk-in hours for immunization services on a first-come first served basis. Immunizations are also available by appointment.
- Inova Cares Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs provide children ages 5 and up with free school physicals and immunizations. Weekday and weekend clinics are available in July and August. These health fairs are for VA Medicaid or Uninsured Inova registered patients only. Appointments are required. Call 703-698-2550 to make an appointment. Bring vaccine records to the appointment.
Local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the FCHD.
School Access
Our school office will be open daily from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, starting August 4-15, to answer calls and assist our community. For the safety and security of all, visitors must enter through Door #1 (the main entrance). Our office personnel will buzz you in, and we require all visitors to sign in using our Visitor Management System. Please have a valid driver's license or passport ready.
During the school year, our office hours will be 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Student Rights & Responsibilities
The Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R) handbook is located online and in SISParentVUE. Parents and guardians are responsible for acknowledging they have received and reviewed the SR&R and should be prompted to do so when they log into their SIS Parent Account.
Students will be reviewing the SR&R during Advisory (4th Period) the first week of school.
Cell Phone Policy - *Updated for this School Year*
FCPS is committed to ensuring that every student is able to access an education that is free from cell phone distractions.
Phones must be off and personally stored (i.e., backpacks, lockers, etc.) during all instructional periods: bell to bell. Phone accessories and all smart devices (e.g., airpods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the phone) are also to be off and personally stored when phone use is prohibited. Watches that serve a dual purpose (e.g., smart watch) may be worn; however, phone features (e.g., texting, internet, calls, etc.) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.
Storage may be in a locker, backpack, pencil bag, etc., during classes. Students are prohibited from using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms, unless there is a medical necessity or emergency.
Cell phone use is restricted, and cell phones may only be used on campus before the first bell, after the last bell, and during lunches in designated lunch spaces.
We are committed to helping our students make responsible choices. If a student uses their phone when prohibited, it will be collected by a member of the administrative or security team. The student will receive a receipt, and the phone will be stored in a locked cart until the end of the school day. Students may retrieve their phone after the final bell.
Weapons Screening System (OpenGate)
Our weapons screening system will continue this year. Students will be required to pass through the screening devices each morning at doors 1, 3 and 4. The system will remain active all day at door 1.
Please watch this video of the Superintendent’s conversation with students about the weapons screening system. The most important thing is to be sure that students have the right items removed from their bag before getting in line.
Items to be removed include:
- Three-ring binders
- Laptops
- Collapsible umbrellas
- Metal lunch boxes
- Metal pencil cases
- Metal glass cases
These items can remain in a student’s bags:
- Non-metal lunch boxes
- Books
- Planners
- Spiral notebooks and folders
- Cell phones
- Keys
- Non-metal pencil cases
Once the items are removed, students should walk to the shortest line and proceed. If the light turns red, they will be directed to a secondary screening to determine what may have alerted the system. You can learn more by watching this video and reading the Frequently Asked Questions on FCPS’ website. If you have additional questions, you can submit them online to the FCPS Chief of Safety and Security Office.
Free Meals at School
FCHS has qualified for the USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) meal program for the 2025-2026 school year. CEP is a non-pricing meal service option for schools in low-income areas. CEP allows schools to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to ALL students without collecting household applications for free and reduced-price meals.
CEP General Information
- CEP is a USDA program; eligibility is based on direct certification for free meals at individual FCPS schools.
- All students at CEP schools automatically receive no-cost breakfast and lunch every day of the school year (even if the student would not qualify for free meals).
- If a student purchases an additional breakfast or additional meal, it will be at cost to the family.
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications, Additional Benefits, and Related Information
For families that may want to receive benefits (class fees) beyond meals that are income-based, the FCPS CEP Consent to Share Information for Other Programs will continue to be utilized and is included in the free and reduced-price meal application process. Parents are encouraged to complete and submit the CEP Consent to Share Form
FCHS Open House
Falls Church High School is thrilled to invite you to our annual Open House on Thursday, August 14, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This is a fantastic opportunity for parents, guardians, and students to get ready for the 2025-2026 school year!
During the Open House, you'll be able to:
- Explore valuable resources in the cafeteria.
- See the new renovated areas of the building.
- Walk your student's schedule to familiarize yourself with the location of their classes and the building layout.
- Meet your child’s teachers who will be present in their classrooms.
Event Details
- Parking: Due to ongoing renovations, parking will be available in the front of the school and the back gravel lot near Jacks Lane. Overflow parking will be at the Providence Rec Center.
- Entry: Please enter the building through Door 1.
- Upon Arrival: Feel free to immediately begin exploring your student's schedule or the resources available in the cafeteria.
- Student Schedules: Please note that schedules will not be printed at the Open House. You can access your student's schedule through ParentView or StudentView beginning at 6am that day.
- Student Guides: Look for our Leadership students, National Honor Society members, and Cheerleaders who will be throughout the building to help you find your way!
- Student Ambassadors: Consider popping into the lecture hall to get a student perspective on questions you have about student life here at FC.
What to Explore
- Cafeteria:
- Get assistance with parent accounts.
- Discover various parent resources.
- Connect with the PTSA.
- Purchase Spirit Wear and memberships.
- Dig into all the athletics, activities, and clubs we have at FC.
- Engage with counselors to answer questions. Please understand that schedule concerns cannot be addressed during this event.
- And much more!
Support the Sophomore Class! The sophomore class will be fundraising by selling Kona Ice in the front of the building. Grab a refreshing treat and help support their efforts!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Back to School Night
Save the Date for our Back to School Night will be in-person the evening of Wednesday, August 27 from 5:30-7:30 pm. More information to follow.
School Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked with a blue “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked with an orange “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.
We begin school on Monday, August 18 and here are some other important dates near the start the school year:
- August 29 and September 1 - Labor Day - No School
Bell Schedules
Click here to view the 2025-2026 bell schedules.
Schoology
Students and teachers will continue to use Schoology as their learning management system. Students will login using their student ID and FCPS network password. Parents who have a ParentVue account will have read-only access to view their child’s Schoology courses and will use their ParentVue username and password to login to Schoology.
If you wish to access Schoology, but do not have a ParentVue account, please visit this site to register for a ParentVue account. Students will be able to access their courses via Schoology by the first day of school.
Arrival and Dismissal Information and Traffic Patterns
Student Arrival and Dismissal
The building will be accessible to students starting at 7:40 am.
Dismissal is at 2:55 pm. Students are asked to leave the building at the end of the day unless they are being supervised by an adult. Any student who wishes to stay after school must be under the supervision of a staff member.
Traffic Patterns at Arrival and Dismissal
All drivers on campus are expected to follow all traffic/roadway laws and driving patterns established. This ensures the safety of all and maximizes the efficiency of our traffic pattern. Please follow all posted signs and directions of staff. The first week of school, traffic is traditionally heavier than normal. Please allow additional time if you are driving your student to school and/or your student is driving themselves to school.
Falls Church High School strives to maintain positive relationships with our surrounding neighbors. To that end, we ask that everyone respects private property while walking to and from school. In addition, no neighborhoods or surrounding streets should be used as kiss-and-ride drop off or pick-up locations. This practice severely impacts our neighbors and their daily schedules.
Kiss and Ride Pickup
When picking up or dropping off, it is important to adhere to the traffic pattern laid out below. Please do not park in any spot on campus during arrival and dismissal if you are dropping off or picking up.
PLEASE do not drop off your student on Marc Drive because it causes safety issues and impacts traffic flow.
Stay Connected
Make sure you are receiving the weekly FCHS News & Announcements email by signing up through News You Choose.
Join the Falls Church High School PTSA Facebook page and join the PTSA organization.
Instagram: @fallschurchhighschoolfcps
School Supplies
There is no standard school supply list. Each course designates their own supplies and students will find out what may be needed the first week of school. If a student has financial difficulties, they should contact their school counselor for supply assistance.
Laptop Distribution information
For returning Falls Church students who kept their Chromebooks over the summer, please be sure to restart them before the first day of school. New students will get their school-issued Chromebooks in their PE classes during the first two days of the school year.
Activities & Athletics
Let’s Go Jaguars! Follow us on Instagram @fcjagsathletics! Please contact our Director of Student Activities, Greg Weisbecker, gpweisbecker@fcps.edu with any questions.
Interested in Athletics & Activities? Check out the FC Jaguars Activities Link Tree for our website, student-athlete requirements, athlete online registration, interest form, activities contact information, and more!
- Fall Sports started August 4th, but we are looking for additional athletes in Field Hockey, Football, and Cross Country… more information regarding Girls Flag Football coming soon!
- Winter Sports - Tryouts begin November 10th, 2025
- Spring Sports - Tryouts begin February 23rd, 2026
- Academic Activities: Debate, ESports, Magazine, Scholastic Bowl/It’s Academic, Speech, Newspaper, Yearbook
- Performing Arts: Band, Choir, Guitar, Orchestra, Theatre
Tickets: All FCPS schools have consistent regular season, district tournament and region tournament entry fees for general admission. Adults (18 and over): $7. FCPS students: $5. Schools will continue to offer free admission to senior citizens and children under 6.
Athletic Booster Club: Interested in volunteering to support our Falls Church High School Athletic Booster Club? Please check out their website! https://fchsathleticboosters.org/
Fall Save The Dates!
- Fall Sports - Meet The Coaches Night! Tuesday August 12th @ 6:30pm (Cafeteria)
- Fall Sports Athletic Schedules: FC Jaguars Athletics Website
- Homecoming Game Football/Cheer/Marching Band - Friday October 10th 7:00 PM
- Homecoming Dance - Saturday October 11th 7:00-10:00pm
Renovation
Construction has continued throughout the summer! Students and staff will return to a number of new classrooms. Work is currently ongoing in the following areas and we are hopeful to have them turned over to us before the end of the calendar year:
- More new classrooms
- Main gym
- New auxiliary gym
- West (Stadium) side parking lot
Parking will look a little different and continue to be a challenge until the renovation is complete. Please see the graphic below for available parking areas and traffic flow. Please be aware that cars will not be able to loop around the building until further notice (see Dead End in the graphic).
We are very excited for the new school year here at Falls Church High School. If there is any way we can assist you, please contact the Student Services or Administrative staff.
Go Jags!
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