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We’re Off to a Strong Start!
Dear Neighbors,
With the first week of the 2025–26 school year behind us, I want to take a moment to reflect on the strong start we’ve had together. Our top priority remains the safety, well-being, and success of every student and staff member.
This year, we are thrilled to welcome nearly 1,000 new teachers who participated in the 31st annual Great Beginnings Summer Institute — four days of workshops, orientation, and inspiration to launch their FCPS careers.
I am also pleased to report that despite ongoing driver shortages, our transportation team has done an outstanding job getting students to and from school safely each day. If your child’s bus runs late, use the Bus Delay Notification System and the “Here Comes the Bus” mobile app to stay updated.
As you visit your child’s school throughout the year ahead, I hope you’ll join me in thanking the teachers and school staff who work hard each day to ensure every student has the tools they need to achieve their unique and limitless potential.
In service,
Karl Frisch
Providence District Representative
Fairfax County School Board
Table of Contents
Kicking Off #FirstDayFairfax at Falls Church High School
Last week, I had the privilege of kicking off the first day of school at Falls Church High School with Superintendent Reid and my School Board colleagues Ryan McElveen and Kyle McDaniel. The energy was contagious — from the marching band and cheerleaders to the football team, Jaguar mascot, and incredible staff. What a way to start the year – be sure to check out NBC’s coverage:
RSVP TODAY: Providence Day & Back to School Celebration
I’m excited to once again co-host the Providence Day & Back to School Celebration with Providence Supervisor Dalia Palchik. Join us for a fun-filled day, with performances by the Vienna Singing Princesses, Drew Blue Shoes, and local Providence talent, plus activities for all ages like arts and crafts, bingo, corn hole, and even some furry friends!
This free, family-friendly event is a wonderful chance to celebrate our community, highlight local organizations and businesses, and bring together students, families, and neighbors from across the Providence District. It’s the perfect opportunity to gear up for a successful school year and a festive way to kick off the fall season — let us know you’ll be there!
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
🕔 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
📍 Location: George C. Marshall High School (7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church)
✍ RSVP: Click Here
Providence District School Supply Drive
Now through September 5, Providence Supervisor Dalia Palchik’s office is hosting its first-ever School Supply Drive to support local students this fall. Back-to-school costs can be tough for many families; your donation helps ensure every child has the tools they need to succeed.
All supplies collected will be distributed at the Providence Day & Back to School Celebration on September 20. Please consider donating essentials like notebooks, pencils, crayons, calculators, and hand sanitizer. Details, including a list of donation drop-off locations, can be found on her website.
Celebrating Oakton Day
This weekend, I was grateful to join the Greater Oakton Community Association in celebrating Oakton Day with students, families, neighbors – and a few petting zoo animals! Events like this showcase the strong spirit and community pride that make Providence such a great place to live and learn. Thank you to everyone who helped make Oakton Day a success!
Honoring Marshall High School’s Joe Swarm
Join us at the School Board meeting on Thursday, September 11, for a proclamation honoring longtime Marshall High School educator Joe Swarm as we name the school’s main gymnasium the “Joseph D. Swarm Gymnasium” in recognition of his decades of service.
📅 Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
🕔 Time: Between approximately 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Luther Jackson Middle School Auditorium (3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church)
FCPS and Washington Commanders Launch Girls Flag Football
In recent years, FCPS introduced new sports, including middle school cross country and track and field, high school girls wrestling, and boys volleyball. And now, thanks to a partnership with the Washington Commanders, FCPS is piloting Girls Flag Football at every high school starting this fall.
With college scholarships already available and Olympic competition coming in 2028 — there’s never been a better time to start. No experience needed. Watch this video and get inspired to try something new! Interested students are encouraged to speak with their school’s activities office.
Trades for Tomorrow (T4T) Program
Our school buildings were ready for the new year, in part, thanks to our T4T Apprentices! Their efforts, with the Office of Facilities Management, made a huge impact:
- Electrical Apprentices upgraded lighting to energy-efficient LEDs, helped integrate safety tech in school zones, and kept custodial equipment running smoothly.
- HVAC Apprentices handled everything from cooling tower cleanings and leak repairs to freezer maintenance, re-piping projects, and real-time troubleshooting.
- Welding Apprentices helped ensure school and athletic safety by repairing bleachers and soccer goals, fixing door hardware, and fabricating items in the shop.
This hands-on experience supported our schools and gave these Career and Technical Education (CTE) students real-world trade exposure and a head start on their careers. Learn more about the T4T Program.
Public Health Youth Ambassador Program
The Public Health Youth Ambassador Program (PHYAP) trains 10th to 12th grade students across Fairfax County about methods to reduce opioid use, address teen mental health issues, and become a Community Health Worker. [FAQs about the program].
The program provides certifications from two nationally recognized public health institutions (Morehouse College and George Mason University). Apply for the fall cohort by 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 28.
Congressional App Challenge
The office of Virginia’s 11th Congressional District is once again participating in the Congressional App Challenge, which invites high school students to design and submit original apps in district-specific competitions hosted annually by Members of Congress. Winners are publicly recognized by their U.S. Representative, and their apps may be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. Register Here no later than October 30, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. ET. For more information and questions, please email Fatima Malik.
Last Call for Champion of Character Award Nominations
The Fairfax County Champions of Character Awards honors one female athlete, one male athlete, one coach, and one parent from each magisterial district in Fairfax County. It is a prestigious recognition, with top county and school officials in attendance at the awards ceremony.
Nominees may be of any age, from any sport, and at any level, and should embody the values of Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Trustworthiness, Citizenship, and Fairness — core traits that reflect true sportsmanship and strengthen our teams, schools, and communities both on and off the field.
Providence District is home to many talented athletes, committed coaches, and dedicated parents — let’s make sure we’re represented! Submit your nominations by the deadline on September 1, 2025.
Virginia School Boards Association Scholarship Opportunity
The Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) is thrilled to announce a brand-new scholarship opportunity designed to support high school seniors across the Commonwealth! The VSBA Board of Directors Regional Scholarship recognizes students who excel in academics, leadership, and community service, providing them with financial support to pursue their post-secondary education.
Key Details:
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Who Can Apply? High school seniors graduating in Spring 2026 who attend a public high school in a division that is a member of the VSBA (FCPS is a member of VSBA and in the Northeastern Region)
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Scholarship Award: $5,000 per regional winner!
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Scholarship Theme: Champion for Impact – Share how you plan to use your education to make a difference!
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Application Deadline: January 30, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. [APPLY HERE]
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Download Detailed Scholarship Guide PDF
Regional winners will be selected and notified in February 2026. Scholarship recipients will be honored during the 2026 VSBA Regional Spring Networking Forums. Attendance at the Northeastern regional spring networking forum on May 12, 2026, is required to receive the award – the exact location will be announced at a later date. Have questions? Contact Bella Corbo at bella@vsba.org or call 434-295-8722 ext. 2.
Tysons Mixed Market at The Boro
This curated marketplace will feature a diverse mix of artisans, makers, vintage collectors, food vendors, and small businesses, all coming together to showcase the best of Tysons and beyond. The Tysons Mixed Market will also feature live music, entertainment, and lots of giveaways!
📅 Dates: September 4, 11, 18 and 25
⏰ Time: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
📍 Location: The surface parking lot behind The Loft (1640 Boro Place, Tysons, VA 22102)
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.
Weapons Detection Screening for School Board Meetings
New this year, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will be implementing its weapons detection screening program at school board regular business meetings. The program is the newest layer of security implemented by the division to maximize the safety of our community, including all students, staff, school board members, and members of the public who attend these meetings.
FCPS uses the OpenGate weapons detection system, which is similar to the systems that you may experience if you attend any sporting event or concert. This system is already deployed at many FCPS high schools and will soon be deployed to all FCPS high and middle schools.
Implementation of this weapons detection system at school board meetings aligns with the same level of security and protection for students and staff during the regular school day. It also aligns with larger, regional efforts across many northern Virginia school divisions to create more secure spaces where students, families, staff, school board members, and members of the public can safely come together and discuss important issues facing our public school systems.
Like in FCPS schools, prohibited items at school board meetings include any gun, knife, explosive device, ammunition, object that is capable of discharging a projectile (pneumatic guns), starter guns, paintball guns, pellet guns, blades, brass knuckles, mace and similar devices, and objects that look like weapons. There are also items that are allowed, but can still set off the system including 3-ring binders, laptops, metal eyeglass cases, umbrellas, and metallic pencil cases. Be aware that bringing these items may slow-down how quickly you can pass through the scanners.
If you plan to attend a school board meeting, please make sure to arrive early so you have plenty of time to pass through the weapons detection system. The doors for the school board meeting will open at 6:30 p.m. ET. We appreciate the community’s support and cooperation with this latest security measure to ensure the safety of anyone who attends a school board meeting.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Regular Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- Thursday, August 28, at 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, September 11, at 7:00 p.m.
Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)
- Tuesday, August 26, at 11:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, September 9, at 11:30 a.m.
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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