The Dixit Dialogue - September 2025

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/10/2025 11:22 AM EDT

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The Dixit Dialogue - September 2025

Welcome Back to School

Colorful graphic with crayons along the border that point to the phrase "Welcome Back to School."

Dear Sully District Families and Community Members,

I am excited to introduce the new name of my newsletter: The Dixit Dialogue! Just like my newsletter, my upcoming office hours are all about conversation and connection. See below for details on how to sign up and join the dialogue—I can’t wait to hear from you!

The new school year is off to a great start! Thanks to the incredible efforts of teams across FCPS, the first day of school was a huge success:

  • 99.7% of essential staff positions were filled—the highest in three years!

  • 82,000 student devices were distributed.

  • 96% of buses, covering nearly 6,000 routes, ran on time.

  • Bus driver vacancies fell by 48% compared to last year (from 126 to 65).

  • Over 74,000 breakfasts and lunches were served.

I am deeply grateful to all our support staff who ensure our schools run smoothly and our students’ diverse needs are met. Your hard work makes a real difference—thank you!

I look forward to a year full of learning, teamwork, and memorable moments for our students!

In partnership,

Seema Dixit

Sully District School Board Member

Inside this Newsletter:

Office Hours

I’d love to hear from you! I hold office hours for Sully District residents to answer questions, listen to concerns, and chat about what’s on your mind. Sign up using this Constituent Sign-Up Sheet, and we’ll send you the meeting details. Looking forward to connecting with you soon!

📅 Important Calendar Dates

September 11 National Day of Service

With the upcoming 24th anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.

All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.

Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Monday, September 22. That day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school. 

Tuesday, September 23, is a holiday for all FCPS students and staff. Schools and offices will be closed. 

See the complete school year calendar.

Student Opportunities

Student Leadership Development Program

Student Leadership Development Program

FCPS School Board Student Leadership Development Program Flyer

The Fairfax County School Board is excited to open applications for our Student Leadership Development Program and will be accepting applications until 11:59 pm on September 26, 2025. If you have a freshman, sophomore, or junior interested in a future in law, government, public policy, or making a difference in their community, this is the program for them! Students may submit applications via the Student Leadership Development Program online application, and principals will choose no more than five students to nominate to the School Board no later than October 17, 2025. Students MUST apply using this online application. Applications submitted outside of this online application will not be considered. The School Board will notify students of their selection status by November 21, 2025. If you have any questions, please contact SBStudentLeadership@fcps.edu or 571-423-1075.

Senator Pekarsky 2026 High School Leadership Program – Applications Open!

High school juniors and seniors from Chantilly HS, Westfield HS, and Centreville HS are invited to apply for Senator Pekarsky’s 2026 High School Leadership Program, held during the Virginia General Assembly’s legislative session in January 2026.

This free program gives students from Senate District 36 in Fairfax County the opportunity to travel to Richmond, engage with political leadership from across the Commonwealth, and gain practical knowledge about Virginia’s legislative process.

Program Dates:
📅 January 28–30, 2026

Highlights include:

  • Observing committee hearings and floor debates on active legislation

  • Touring the Virginia State Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion

  • Participating in panel discussions with lobbyists, advocates, and legislative leaders

  • Meeting with lawmakers and staff to discuss issues that matter to them

Transportation, lodging, and meals will be provided at no cost to students or families.

Application deadline: Sunday, November 30, at 6 p.m.

Apply now using this link: High School Leadership Program form.

For HS Students: Youth Conservation Leadership Institute

The Youth Conservation Leadership Institute (YCLI) is a program for 9th-12th grade students offered by Virginia’s Soil & Water Conservation Districts. YCLI focuses on volunteer service, environmental stewardship, leadership, and connecting students with environmental issues in their local communities. Program participants are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service with a conservation focus as well as participate in a book discussion and submit required progress reports throughout the year. Learn more about YCLI and apply by Thursday, October 2.

Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

Disclaimer: Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. These opportunities may utilize technology tools that have not been assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform that the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.

Comprehensive Boundary Review – Upcoming Community Meetings

FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review is moving into the next phase. Thank you to all who shared feedback during the spring community meetings, Boundary Explorer Tool, and Let’s Talk platform.

📅 Community Meetings (Hybrid: in person & Zoom)

  • September 15–30, 2025 – First round of fall meetings (Justice HS, West Potomac HS, Oakton HS, and additional locations TBD).

  • October 13–30, 2025 – Second round of meetings to review updated draft boundary scenarios.

🔜 Next Steps

  • November 2025 – Advisory Committee reviews community feedback.

  • January 2026 – Superintendent presents recommendations and an implementation plan to the School Board.

Stay tuned for finalized meeting locations and materials on our FCPS boundary review webpage. Your input is essential in shaping school boundaries that balance enrollment, support student wellness, and meet the needs of our community.

Mental Health Resources for Families

This month's theme: Self Care September

Self-care isn't selfish. It's essential.  

Go to Action for Happiness for ideas to help you take action for a happier and kinder world.

September 2025 Calendar

September calendar with daily ideas for action.

Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies

Feeling super stressed? Worried about a friend's mental health—or your own? Get tips to help manage your emotions and see what to do if you are in crisis. 

Mental Health and Resiliency

Helping students to manage stress, make better choices, and develop healthy habits.

FCPS Family Resource Center

Staff is available by phone 703-204-3941 or email frc@fcps.edu to help! The FCPS Family Resource Center offers free workshops, consultations, a lending library, and more to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs and disabilities.

No Cost Virtual Therapy for High Schoolers

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss.
  • Anxiety, worry, fears.
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships.
  • Academic stress.

Students can be referred by a guardian or designated school staff member. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting an FCPS school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

🌱 Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services

Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports that include medication assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and other services. 

Get started with CSB Entry and Referral by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.

George Mason’s Center for Community Health

George Mason University’s new Center for Community Mental Health (9900 Main Street, Fairfax) provides evidence-based, accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive therapy and testing services to those in need, regardless of income. The Center sees children as young as age 5, and works with community members of various ages, including addressing the mental health needs of veterans.

The center’s Emotional Help Line provides free, anonymous, confidential support in both English (703-215-1898) and Spanish (703-914-3878). The line is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!

Hispanic Heritage

National Hispanic Heritage Month graphic with FCPS logo.

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Upcoming School Board Meetings

FCPS School Board Members

12 FCPS School Board members at the dais.

Please note: Times and topics are subject to change. 

Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.

Interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on School Board votes the morning after the School Board meeting.

The work sessions and regular meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and the FCPS website. Both will be recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube channel.

 

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 o escanee el código QR.

 QR Code Spanish

Contacting Me

To contact me, it is most helpful if you can please use the official School Board Contact Form. This form prioritizes emails to me from constituents and helps me track communication so I can be sure you receive a response. If you are unsure of your county magisterial district, you can look up that information in My Neighborhood.

To keep up with updates between newsletters, be sure to follow me on Facebook.

Quick Links

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