Students work together in Annette Ali-Fahey’s third grade class at Bush Hill Elementary School.
✅ Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources
Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Opt your child in or out of a variety of online educational tools and choose how student information is managed. Parents and caregivers of elementary students can also opt in/out of after-school care on early release Wednesdays.
Please visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage today to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
Volunteer FCPS Helps Community Members Connect With Schools
The safety and security of each and every student is our utmost priority at FCPS. Volunteer FCPS, a new tool and process for volunteers, maximizes support for students while also keeping them safe.
The volunteer management system allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities across the division.
All volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS. This includes individuals who volunteer infrequently, ongoing, or regularly to:
Individuals can complete a volunteer orientation at Volunteer FCPS. All volunteers — and visitors to a school — are required to sign in using the visitor kiosk. Some volunteers will also be required to undergo a background check.
Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about volunteer levels and registering in the system.
💯 A+ Start to the New School Year
Check out Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s latest Weekly Reflections to see a wrap-up of her very busy first week of school. Dr. Reid shares some fun first-day highlights, including:
- 99.7% of staff positions critical to the opening of school were filled – the highest rate in three years.
- 96% of our buses – covering nearly 6,000 routes – arrived on time.
- More than 74,000 breakfast and lunches were served.
Read Weekly Reflections to learn more about FCPS’ strong start.
🌩️ Weather Happens, FCPS Is Ready
Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, there are many different types of weather events that can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. But FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff. What does FCPS do during a flood? What about a severe thunderstorm?
Answers to those questions along with resources you can use to prepare for different weather events are now available on the new FCPS weather safety webpage.
Upcoming Changes to FCPS High School Transcripts
To provide a more comprehensive and accurate record of a student's educational journey, FCPS transcripts will now specify the location where certain courses are taken. This change, which the School Board approved in December 2024, will affect courses taken at the following FCPS locations:
- FCPS High School Academies.
- FCPS Interagency Alternative Schools.
- FCPS Online Campus.
- Classes taken concurrently at other FCPS schools.
Starting Friday, September 26, transcripts will list these courses under a separate heading for the corresponding program. Transcripts and report cards printed before this date will still show all courses listed under the student’s base school.
This update will provide a clearer picture of the diverse academic opportunities our students are pursuing across the district.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Student Services office at your child's school.
New Math Screening and Growth Assessment for Elementary Students
Starting in September, FCPS elementary schools will use the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Math assessment to assess grade level mathematics skills in grades 1 through 6. The MAP Math test, along with the iReady Reading test, fulfill a state requirement to measure academic growth in grades 3 through 6 over the course of the school year.
MAP Math tests are administered in the fall, winter, and spring. They help teachers identify students’ strengths and areas where they may need more support.
Families can learn more about MAP Growth assessments on the MAP Test Information webpage.
SEL Screener Parent Notification and Updates
The fall Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3 through 12 in October.
Students complete the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives them a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review: Community Meetings Coming This Fall
As a reminder, Phase 2 (Part 2) of FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will start this fall. The consultant will update the Boundary Explorer Tool with revised draft boundary scenarios. Those draft scenarios will be presented to the community, and feedback will be gathered during another round of community boundary review meetings and from the Boundary Explorer Tool.
We are finalizing meeting dates and locations and will share them in the coming weeks.
Visit our Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more about the process. You may also sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter.
Additional Feedback and Let’s Talk Messages
Thank you for your engagement in the comprehensive boundary review process. As part of our commitment to transparency, we are sharing additional community feedback, including more than 13,000 comments submitted through our Boundary Explorer Tool and FCPS’ primary online feedback tool (Let’s Talk). Comments are organized by FCPS region.
Our Let’s Talk platform remains open, and comments will continue to be shared with FCPS staff. After the Public Records Office ensures any personally identifiable information or inappropriate language is removed, the Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee and the consultant will receive Let’s Talk comments submitted through August 20.
This feedback will help inform the next set of revised draft scenarios to be presented to the community in the fall.
Boundary Review Work Session
Dr. Reid updated the School Board on the comprehensive boundary review during a work session yesterday. Watch a recording of the meeting or view slides from her presentation.
Get to Know FCPS and the Resources Available to Families
We know that as a parent or caregiver, you play a critical role in your child’s education. The Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child’s needs and learning at home.
The Family Academy also includes information about resources to help you ensure your child has what they need to succeed. Check out some of the upcoming Family Academy sessions:
- Co-Parenting: Two Parents, Two Homes (available in English and Spanish)
- Loving Solutions
- Military-Connected Youth Family Advisory Council
- Parent Project
- Family Resource Center webinars on topics including: How to Prepare for School; Building Collaborative Relationships Between Caregivers and Educators; Worried Parents, Anxious Kids; and What Families Need to Know About Drugs for Their Students with Disabilities.
Visit the Family Academy catalog for information on these sessions and to register to attend.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Each goal has an equity commitment — the promise we make to every student to support them in attaining these goals. Each goal also has several measures that allow us to track our progress.
The first goal in the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they’re joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.
See how Goal 1 is being put into practice. Watch the video above about pre-K. Learn more about or enroll in FCPS Pre-K or Early Head Start.
🛑 Know the Signs of Opioid Overdose
This Sunday is International Overdose Awareness Day. Help prevent overdose fatalities by learning the signs of an overdose and how to respond.
Visit the FCPS opioid awareness page to learn more about what families can do to help their children understand the risks of opioids and other drugs.
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Labor Day (Holiday)
Friday, August 29, and Monday, September 1, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students.
Virginia legislation requires that schools opening before Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately before Labor Day.
We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.
📅 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. Therefore, all FCPS schools will be closed on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
Read Dr. Reid’s message about this change to the 2025-26 school year calendar.
School Board Meeting Thursday, August 28, at 7 p.m.
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, August 28, at 7 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. On the agenda for this session:
- Additional Advisory Committee Appointments.
- Challenged Materials Interdepartmental Review Committee Appointments.
- Awarding of contracts.
View the full agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
Attendees should arrive as close to 6:30 p.m. as possible for this and future School Board meetings. FCPS will be implementing its weapons detection screening program to maximize safety for the School Board, students, staff, and members of the public who attend meetings. Read more about the screening process and prohibited items on the School Board webpage.
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