Food and Nutrition Services staff Steven Gross and Maricela Juarez hand out summer meals at Hybla Valley Elementary School.
Join Our Back-to-School Countdown!
Thank you to all our employees who are hard at work kicking off another great school year! Are you ready? The first day of school is Monday, August 18! Follow our countdown on the FCPS website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Since Friday, we’ve encouraged caregivers to register their children, bookmark the school year calendar, update immunization records, and sign up for SIS ParentVUE to access and share information about their children.
Today’s reminder is to make sure you’re signed up for your school newsletter and following your school on social media.
Follow FCPS on social media to share in the countdown fun as you, too, get ready for #FirstDayFairfax!
📅 Calendar Adjustment: September Special Election
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has set Tuesday, September 9, as the date for a special election in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. Because more than half of our schools serve as polling locations, the Fairfax County Office of Elections asked us to consider closing for the day.
To ensure the safety of our students and staff, all FCPS schools will be closed on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Reference the Friday, August 8 email from Fairfax County Public Schools about the election for details on how this affects staff.
Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s message about this change to the 2025-26 school year calendar.
📘 Employee Handbook Available Now
The Department of Human Resources is pleased to announce the release of FCPS’ first divisionwide Employee Handbook. It is a major milestone in our commitment to transparency, accessibility, and employee support.
The Employee Handbook is a user-friendly, all-in-one guide that consolidates key information including policies, regulations, web links, and everyday practices to help staff understand and navigate the school division. Be sure to bookmark it so you can refer back to it often!
Fall 2025 Educator Academy Course Catalog Now Available
Advance your career and hone your teaching practice this fall with the FCPS Educator Academy. More than 40 free courses are available in topics ranging from supporting teachers pursuing the local advanced academics endorsement to the National Board Certification process. All courses are designed with flexible scheduling, allowing you to tailor your learning experience to suit your needs. Successful course completion earns salary credit and recertification points.
Registration opens Tuesday, August 19, at 5 p.m. Courses begin Monday, September 8, and run through early January 2026.
Visit the Academy Atlas page to learn how to register or email Academy@fcps.edu with questions.
🚌 New Technology on Buses Enhances Student Safety
In her latest Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid shared a conversation she had with Bus Driver Supervisor Lei Shi about a new safety and routing system being piloted on FCPS school buses this year.
From real-time navigation to Radio Frequency ID student check-ins and live bus tracking for families, the new tablet technology is designed to make bus rides safer and more efficient for everyone. Watch this video to learn how FCPS is prioritizing student safety and supporting our incredible transportation team with the tools they need to succeed.
Read more in Weekly Reflections. See what else is new for the upcoming school year.
📚 Every Teacher Deserves a Great Beginning
The hallways of Hayfield Secondary School buzzed with energy last Wednesday as nearly 1,000 new FCPS teachers attended the Great Beginnings Summer Institute (GBSI).
For four days, GBSI immersed participants in a blend of professional development, networking, and orientation. Two days were spent in grade-level or subject-specific cohorts where educators built connections with peers who share their teaching focus. Another day was devoted to school-based orientation.
The highlight for many was the divisionwide kickoff event, which set the tone for the year ahead. Read more about Great Beginnings. Watch this reel where new teachers introduce themselves and their schools.
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🏫 Going Back to School (Again) at Spring Hill
For the 34th time, Principal Amy Briggs is looking forward to the first day of school at Spring Hill Elementary School.
Amy attended the school from kindergarten to sixth grade, and then returned to work there. She has served Spring Hill as a substitute teacher, student teacher, fifth grade teacher, school-based technology specialist, and assistant principal. She was named principal of the school in 2023. Read more about why Amy calls Spring Hill a second home.
🏆 Recognizing Outstanding Employees
FCPS is committed to excellence in teaching, school leadership, and providing support. Each June, the Department of Human Resources hosts the FCPS Honors ceremony to celebrate exceptional employees who model the highest standards of instructional and support practices.
From a talented field of 77 finalists, 12 employees were named Outstanding Employee Award winners on June 11. Among them was Andrew Sharrock, the band director at Glasgow Middle School. Andrew is pictured above with Dr. Reid on the left and Katie Knight, representing award sponsor Apple Federal Credit Union, on the right.
Throughout the summer — and continuing this week as staff return — worksite celebrations are being held to honor these recipients and give their colleagues a chance to share in their achievements.
Visit the FCPS Honors webpage to see the full list of winners and learn more about the finalists.
Stay tuned! Later this fall, nominations will open for the 2025-26 awards, facilitated by local award liaisons.
Celebrating Growth: FCPS Concludes 2025 Summer Internship Program
After six weeks of professional learning, collaboration, and real-world experience, the 2025 cohort of FCPS summer interns concluded their journey with a celebration at Gatehouse Administration Center.
The interns gained hands-on experience in public education administration, contributed meaningfully to division projects, and explored future careers in public service and education. Thank you to the departments and employees who made these experiences possible!
Read more about the program and their closing thoughts.
Comprehensive Boundary Review Updates
On August 5, the Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee met at Gatehouse Administration Center. Read Dr. Reid’s letter to staff and families, where she shared key takeaways from the advisory committee meeting, an update on community feedback, and next steps.
Please keep in mind that no boundary changes have been proposed for the upcoming (2025-26) school year.
Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information.
Important Updates to the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
There are several SR&R updates for the 2025-26 school year, including changes to the cell phone policy. Other updates include better clarity or new procedures around topics such as discipline data, parent notifications, hate speech, and integrated discipline training. The full list of changes is available on BoardDocs.
📵 Cell Phone Policy Update for High Schools
Beginning this school year, high school students can only use their cell phones and other personal devices (AirPods, smart watches, etc.) during lunch and before or after school.
This is a change from FCPS’ previous cell phone policy, which allowed high schoolers to use devices during passing periods. Students must now keep devices off and away during classroom time and during passing periods between classes.
Read more about the updated Cell Phone Policy.
Staff Staples
Note: Some links in this email require a connection to the FCPS network. If you have any questions, please visit the FCPS Tech Support Portal to search for self help articles or submit a ticket.
Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Thank you!
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