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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.
Hello Braddock Families,
I hope everyone is settling in and enjoying this beautiful weather! Whether you are celebrating all the last “firsts” with your senior - go Class of 2026 - or experiencing the first “firsts” with a kindergartner learning to read and write, I hope the start of school has been fantastic!
It’s hard to believe, but at the School Board, we are already planning for the FY2027 budget with a work session on September 9th. As the School Board Budget Chair this year, I am starting the process earlier so we can be more proactive with our communications and challenges as we face tough budget times. We will be focusing on working collaboratively with the Board of Supervisors, actively addressing issues early, and making sure that the community can fully engage and follow the process. Over the course of the coming months, we will highlight the efficiencies that have been built into the system, the strength of our workforce, the success of our students and graduates, and the role our public schools play in the economic health of the region. FCPS is one of the finest school systems in the country and we all want to make sure it stays that way. People and businesses move here for our excellent schools and safe communities - I know I did!
I will be providing regular updates here, and I welcome the advocacy of community members, students, parents and staff. The Back-to-School-Night season is on-going, and I look forward to greeting more families there. One reminder about a calendar change: There will be no school for the special Congressional election on Tuesday, September 9, 2025; it is important for student safety as we will have many voters accessing our buildings on election day.
As always, my team and I are available to answer any questions you might have or address any concerns. Please feel free to reach out to my office at braddockconstituent@fcps.edu.
All my best,
 In this issue
 Welcome Back to School! You can watch my Back to School video message here.
The School Board met last week on Thursday, August 28th. Below are some of the highlights. The full meeting can be viewed on YouTube and the complete agenda can be found on Board Docs. Here are a few highlights of the meeting:
- The Board approved the Career and Technical Education contract with a discussion regarding how this will help students meet the CTE requirement needed for graduation and whether it is fully accessible to Special Education learners and multilanguage learners.
- Dr. Reid was happy to report that 74.5% of 8th graders being enrolled in Algebra I or higher level math, exceeding the 70% target. Strategic plan goals regarding multilingual learner growth, chronic absenteeism, 3rd grade reading, and on-time graduation have all also met or exceeded targets.
- The Board discussed the new security screening processes, bus transportation issues, and the community use policy.
The next School Board meeting will occur on Thursday, September 11th, 2025, at Jackson Middle School. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings. We will also have a Work Session on Tuesday, September 9th where we will discuss the budget communication plan and 2026 Legislative Policy.
Back To School Nights
Over the past week, my team and I have been happy to talk to families and students at more Back to School Night events, including at Canterbury Woods ES, Olde Creek ES, and Bonnie Brae ES. If you haven't seen it yet we have been handing out information and resources for families in the 25-26SY.
 High School Girls' Volleyball
It is time to set and serve on the volleyball court! Mark your calendars for these Braddock District School's Girls' Volleyball home games! Join the fans rooting on our student athletes at one of the home games listed below, or of course you can always check the school’s website for the full schedule of games. (Schools located in the Braddock District are Woodson, Robinson, and Lake Braddock, but since Braddock District students also attend Lewis, Annandale, West Springfield, and Fairfax, we have included those games as well.)
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High School Boys' Volleyball
It is time to set and serve on the volleyball court! Mark your calendars for these Braddock District School's Boys' Volleyball home games! Join the fans rooting on our student athletes at one of the home games listed below, or of course you can always check the school’s website for the full schedule of games. (Schools located in the Braddock District are Woodson, Robinson, and Lake Braddock, but since Braddock District students also attend Lewis, Annandale, West Springfield, and Fairfax, we have included those games as well.)
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In case you missed it, in the US News and World Report Best High Schools Rankings, five High Schools that Braddock District students attend were ranked in the top 25 High Schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Those five schools were:
- 1- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
- 5 - Woodson High School
- 12 - West Springfield High School
- 18 - Lake Braddock Secondary School
- 19 - Robinson Secondary School
Additionally, TJHSST was ranked as the 5th best High School in the entire country. You can read more details here. Congratulations to all the staff and students at the five high schools! Go Colonials! Go Cavaliers! Go Spartans! Go Bruins! And Go Rams!
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is honoring two Braddock District schools for working to include environmental literacy in their curricula through the Virginia Naturally School Recognition Program.
As the Commonwealth’s official environmental education school recognition program, DWR’s Virginia Naturally School program honors exemplary efforts undertaken to increase environmental awareness and stewardship among K-12 students. Environmental education efforts also support the Virginia Department of Education’s Profile of a Virginia Graduate by developing students’ communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creative thinking, and civic responsibility.
The two schools Braddock District students attend which won the recognition were Katherine Johnson Middle School (12th year of recognition) and Terra Centre Elementary School (1st year of recognition).
You can read more about the program and criteria schools were evaluated on here.
 ✅ 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.
Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage today to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
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 FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by the school division to help you support your child’s needs and learning at home.
The Family Academy also includes information about resources to help 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 more information on these sessions and to register to attend.
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 use 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 students 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 FCPS’ Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 13th from 10am-3pm. The buses are fueled and ready to roll as Stuff the Bus returns for a one-day food drive.
Fastran buses, along with Fairfax County Fire Department trucks, will be at several sites from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. for this Hunger Action Month event to combat hunger. Please consider donating non-perishable food items and gift cards at the locations listed.
You can find more information here.
Burke Centre Festival This Weekend!
Looking for family friendly fun this weekend? Check out the Burke Centre Festival! It opens Saturday, Sept. 6th 9:30 am and ends Sunday, September 7th at 5 pm. This is an annual celebration in beautiful Burke Centre featuring an Arts & Crafts Show, Balloon Tying/Animals, Face Painting, Fairfax County Police, Fire & Rescue Vehicles & Displays, Live Performances, Bloodmobile on site, Amusement Rides: Inflatables, Mechanical & Pony Rides, and much more!
Mark your calendars, September 20th is sure to be a day of fun, delicious food, and great music at the Taste of Annandale from 10:30am-6pm. You can find more information here.
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Upcoming Changes to FCPS High School Transcripts
To provide a more comprehensive and accurate record of a student's educational journey, FCPS students’ 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, students’ 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 our Student Services office.
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 1-6. The MAP Math test along with the iReady Reading test fulfill a state requirement to measure academic growth in grades 3-6 throughout 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 by visiting the MAP Test Information webpage.
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.
© 2023 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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