A student at Forest Edge Elementary School builds with blocks in art class.
✔️ Have You Completed These Important Forms?
The multiple school forms parents and caregivers receive during the first weeks of school can feel overwhelming, but each one helps set your child up for a successful school year.
If you do not have a SIS ParentVUE account, please contact your child’s school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
🩹 Immunization Requirements
Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure that your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Tuesday, November 18, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school.
You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to your school’s front office. Find more information on immunizations.
📋 Permission Forms
Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.
Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch a video to see how to use the tool.
Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned to your school’s front office by Tuesday, September 30.
🏅 Fairfax County Public Schools Maintain Excellence, Continue to Surpass Average SOL Scores
FCPS’ Standards of Learning (SOL) 2025 results show the division is continuing to significantly outperform state averages.
In addition, the annual pass rates released by the Virginia Department of Education on August 27 illustrate how FCPS has made year-on-year gains across all three core subject areas of science, math, and reading.
These impressive results reflect the hard work of our staff, our students, and their supportive families. We should all feel proud of this achievement! Read more about FCPS testing results.
🎤 Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities for the school division. You may also share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask questions. Events are planned for the following dates from 6 to 8 p.m.:
Click on the date to register. Additional locations and registration links will be shared soon. Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all.
💭 Read Reid’s Weekly Reflections
Follow Dr. Reid’s activities across the division and read about important announcements and updates each week in her Weekly Reflections.
Last week, her activities included a ribbon cutting at Wakefield Forest Elementary School, pictured above. A renovation at the school was made possible by school bond referendums.
🏗️ School Bond Referendum on Ballot Tuesday, November 4
The $460 million School Bond Referendum — supporting the division and county’s commitment to providing safe and welcoming learning environments for all students — will be on the Tuesday, November 4, general election ballot.
The funding provided by voter-approved bonds is expected to fund projects identified in the FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program, which was approved by the School Board in February.
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. Watch this video that explains, “What Is a bond?”
Make sure you have a voting plan! Learn more about registering to vote.
SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT Testing Day
SAT School Day and PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) exams will be held at each high school on Wednesday, October 8, at no cost to families. The digital SAT School Day exam is offered to 12th grade students, and the digital PSAT/NMSQT exam is provided to 10th and 11th grade students.
Unscheduled Day for Ninth Grade Students
Because of the testing, most ninth grade students will not have school on October 8. Students are encouraged to complete any missing work or assignments that need to be completed prior to the end of the first quarter.
Ninth grade students with disabilities who receive low incidence special education services will still receive in-person instruction with a two-hour early release on October 8.
Contact the Student Services team at your child’s school with any questions. Learn more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS.
⭐ Teacher Honored for Her Selfless Generosity
Fifth Grade Teacher Kylee West from Bailey’s Upper Elementary School was celebrated last week by FCPS and Educate Fairfax as the FCPS CARES of the Quarter recipient.
Kylee exemplifies the spirit of this award through her extraordinary compassion, dedication, and commitment to children, families, and the community. Read more about her selfless generosity, and how she stepped in to help a student who was having to care for younger siblings. Watch this video about the award ceremony.
By celebrating educators like Kylee, FCPS reaffirms the profound impact of their work and the lasting difference they make in students’ lives. Their dedication and passion are what make FCPS strong.
🏆 Rams Rock! Robinson Recognized for Both Brains and Brawn
Robinson Secondary won the Virginia High School League (VHSL) National Guard Cup in both academics and athletics for the 2024-25 school year. Winning both of these cups in a single year — which is rare — recognizes how amazing the Rams are in all areas, from sports to academics.
Congratulations to Robinson’s dedicated students, amazing coaches and teachers, and supportive families. Read more about this honor.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunities
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.
One of the measures of the fourth goal is to provide all students with consistent availability of and accessibility to electives, extracurricular, co-curricular, and enrichment activities. In addition to the story above, see other ways how Goal 4 is being put into practice.
📰 Special Education and Section 504 Newsletter
The latest issue of the Special Education and Section 504 Newsletter is now available. The newsletter is sent by FCPS’ Department of Special Services, which provides a network of support to staff, students, and families to break down barriers to learning and help students succeed as individuals.
Topics in this issue include:
- Building a Culture of Belonging — Inclusive Education at FCPS.
- Ensuring Safety for Students with Disabilities During Emergencies.
- Personal Electronic Devices for Students with Disabilities.
Subscribe to the Special Education and Section 504 Newsletter.
📝 Applications Open Monday, October 20, for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Eighth graders who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2030 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application will be available Monday, October 20, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, November 14. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information, including a schedule of upcoming information sessions at middle schools.
📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Process Enters Phase 2 (Part 2)
Last Thursday, Dr. Reid shared an update on the comprehensive boundary review. It included key takeaways from the Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee meeting on September 3 and a link to materials that committee members received during the meeting. Dr. Reid’s letter also announced upcoming community meetings. Read about those below.
Fall Community Boundary Review Meetings
We are entering the second part of Phase 2 of the comprehensive boundary review. This phase will include the next series of community boundary review meetings.
Because this is a busy time of year for our schools, we are working to finalize all of the meeting locations. Unless otherwise noted, the locations are still being determined. We will have updates very soon!
The meetings will be hybrid, so you may participate in person or virtually. Please stay tuned for more meeting details which will be posted on our website.
Our first set of meetings will take place this month:
- Thursday, September 18, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Friday, September 19, 12:30 to 2 p.m.
- Friday, September 19, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 24, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, September 25, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Friday, September 26, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, September 27, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Monday, September 29, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
By mid-October, the consultant FCPS has been working with will have updated the Boundary Explorer Tool with the latest draft boundary scenarios. We will present those scenarios and gather feedback during 12 community meetings. View the list of October meetings.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders: Elementary Early Release Wednesday, September 17
September 11 National Day of Service
On September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country on that day in 2001. 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.
⏰ Early Release Wednesday
Elementary schools in the following pyramids will release three hours early on Wednesday, September 17:
- Centreville, Chantilly, Fairfax, Hayfield, Justice, Lewis, Mount Vernon, Oakton, Robinson, South County, Westfield, and West Potomac.
Find out more about limited early release Wednesdays.
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
On September 17 each year, schools honor Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. Constitution Day commemorates the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, and recognizes “all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.”
🗳️ National Voter Registration Day Is September 17
Wednesday, September 17, is National Voter Registration Day. Learn more about registering to vote. In-person early voting is available in Fairfax County from Friday, September 19, through Saturday, November 1.
🌞 Celebrate Sun Day on September 21
Celebrate the launch of FCPS’ solar initiative and the arrival of 17 new electric school buses at Louise Archer Elementary School on Sunday, September 21, from 10 a.m. to noon. Come learn more about the great work FCPS is doing to reduce our carbon footprint and meet sustainability goals.
Bring the family for live music, solar story time, student-led sustainability demos, and other activities. Register for Sun Day today.
📅 Rosh Hashanah (Evening-Only Observance and Holiday)
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.
School Board Meeting Thursday, September 11
The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, September 11, at 7 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:
- Additional Advisory Committee Appointments
- Awarding of Contracts
View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.
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