We're Ready for Another Great School Year!
The future is bright all across FCPS! On behalf of every teacher and all of our educators, administrators, and support staff … Welcome back to school!
Watch Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s welcome message to learn what she’s most excited for this new school year.
We recently launched a new volunteer process designed to enhance the safety of our students and staff. Below is a snapshot of our process for volunteering:
- All volunteers must create a profile in the new Volunteer FCPS system and complete a brief video orientation (about five minutes).
- Volunteers fall into three levels, with requirements that match the level of involvement and supervision:
Level 1: Infrequent volunteers (monthly or less frequent) who are always supervised do not need a criminal background check. However, they do need a sex offender registry check, which is performed by signing in at the school's visitor kiosk, usually in the front office.
Level 2: Frequent, ongoing, or regular volunteers (daily, weekly, bi-weekly) who are also always supervised are subject to the same requirements as Level 1 — no criminal background check, but a sex offender registry check via the school’s visitor kiosk is mandatory.
Level 3: Volunteers with direct, unsupervised interaction with students must complete a criminal background check, including fingerprinting and child abuse and neglect checks. This applies to roles like mentors, tutors, or field trip chaperones who are alone with students (not accompanied by an FCPS staff member) at any time during the activity.
Once approved, all volunteers are expected to:
- Sign in and out using the Visitor Management System (VMS) at the school front office or vestibule. Sign-in as a volunteer.
- Wear an FCPS-issued identification sticker at all times.
- Maintain student confidentiality and avoid accessing confidential student or staff records.
- Refrain from taking any videos, photographs, or other images of FCPS students.
- Follow all FCPS policies and regulations.
These steps ensure that every adult working with students meets clear and consistent safety standards. If you need assistance, we encourage you to review the Volunteer FAQs or reach out to volunteer@fcps.edu.
Sometimes, a classroom is a construction site! Earlier this summer, students from the Residential Construction program at Edison High School’s Edison Academy completed construction of a 5,800 square foot, 5-bedroom,4-bathroom single-family home in Springfield, Virginia.
Through a partnership with the Foundation for Applied Technical Education, Inc. (FATE), Residential Construction students not only bring a beautiful home to life, but they also obtain the required construction Industry OSHA 10 safety credential and complete National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Construction Core and Carpentry I and II credentials that prepare them for careers in carpentry and construction. Students complete modules in excavation, framing, windows and doors, roofing, siding, brick laying, electrical, drywall, trim, tile, plumbing fixtures, and hardware. Students also learn and observe foundations, HVAC, insulation, paint, and cabinets and countertops. “This class teaches you about contracting business, building codes, and all the phases required to build a home. It is equal parts academics and hands on ‘sticks and bricks’ This class provides the solid start students need for careers in the trades or architecture or engineering,” says course instructor Bruce Morrow. “By working closely with professional sub-contractors in various trades, the students gain valuable in-depth experience regarding the construction industry.”
This was the 13th student-built home in the Spring Village Estates community. The sale closed in early August for $1.35 million, which provides critical funding for the next student-built home, which the residential construction program began last Spring.
Contact Craig Lewis, senior manager of Trade and Industrial Education and JROTC, to get involved.
Did You Know? September 21st is the solar equinox — one of the two days of the year when the entire world gets an equal amount of sunlight.
Sun Day, the national day of action organized by the Sun Day coalition, will be hosting a community event at Louise Archer Elementary School on Sunday, September 21, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Sun Day is a nationwide celebration of clean energy progress and a call to accelerate the clean power transition that’s already underway. This event at Louise Archer – whose motto is, “where the Sun always shines!” – will be joining community events across the country to showcase the businesses, organizations, and families that are already leading the way to a clean energy future.
Families can expect solar activities, giveaways, food, and fun in the sun!
RSVP for this free community event.
In June 2023, Superintendent Dr. Reid, in collaboration with students, staff, families, and community members, developed a North Star roadmap for how FCPS would ensure every student through 2030 reaches their greatest potential.
The strategic plan identifies five overarching goals that drive positive change throughout our district. These goals inform where we focus our attention and align our efforts.
Fairfax County Public Schools' 2023-30 Strategic Plan is committed to delivering excellence, equity, and opportunity in education, and that’s the same commitment we expect from our business and community partners.
Prospective partners should be prepared to describe how a partnership with FCPS will support our Strategic Plan as well as monitor and report on Key Performance Indicators throughout the partnership, such as the number of students or staff served. Contact FCPSPartnerships@fcps.edu to learn more.
The $460 million bond referendum on the November 4 ballot is expected to fund the next stages of several ongoing projects as well as others referenced in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). These projects could include renovations to Cub Run Elementary School, Union Mill Elementary School, Centreville High School, and a potential new western high school.
The building and renovation of our schools is not funded through the division’s operating budget. Voter-approved bonds allow payment for these projects over time. Read more about the 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote.
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