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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 enjoying the Fall weather. Soon we’ll be breaking out the sweaters! I can already smell the pumpkin everything!!
There’s lots to update everyone on this week:
- Start Times are being reviewed with a new FCPS Start and End Times Survey available for parents to participate in. Please take a few minutes to fill it out and be a part of the robust community involvement that helps shape our policies. We are at the information gathering stage and no changes are planned at this time!
- The Office of Transportation Services is launching a new transportation routing software called Traversa. This new software will improve planning, management, and communications for student transportation services. If your child rides a bus, you should be receiving, or have received, a notification letter. The system goes live on October 6, 2025. When that happens, there may be some adjustments to bus schedules and bus stop locations. Please review your child’s updated transportation information in ParentVue and the Here Comes the Bus app, and share any questions or concerns with your school’s transportation office. Transportation will notify families of any changes to bus schedules and bus stops before any changes are implemented.
- You may have heard about the acquisition of a new high school in the western part of the county. The new high school’s programming and possible boundary status will be discussed at the School Board’s work session on Tuesday, October 7 and the new high school will be covered as New Business during the regular sSchool Board meeting on Thursday, October 9. Naming the school is the first step. We will be posting how to participate either at a community meeting, public hearing or via a survey as soon as information is available.
The next School Board meeting is this Thursday, September 25. Superintendent Reid will be presenting an overview of where FCPS is at entering the School Year 2025-2026 and there's lots of good news to report! Tune in to watch and participate in School Board meetings from home. The full agenda is also available for review.
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
The School Board last met on Thursday, September 11. See below for highlights from Dr. Reid's presentations on Academic Matters and the ongoing work of our Food and Nutrition Services department. The full meeting can be viewed on YouTube, and the complete agenda can be found on Board Docs. We passed a proclamation celebrating Hispanic Heritage month, dedicated the Towle Activities Office at Westfield High School and the Swarm Gymnasium at Marshall High School, and discussed Superintendent Reid's performance. We also reviewed multiple purchasing and facilities issues.
Academic Matters
 In the Academic Matters portion of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid discussed the Standards of Learning (SOL) scores for the 2024-25 school year. Our numbers are up across the board in writing, science, and math! And as you can see from the graphic above, Fairfax County Public Schools students continue to outperform the state average on SOL and Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) tests.
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Reading: FCPS maintained strong results with pass rates of 78% in 2023 and 2024, rising to 79% in 2025. These scores consistently outpaced the Virginia average (73% in 2023-2024 and 74% in 2025).
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Mathematics: Pass rates increased steadily from 75% in 2023 to 76% in 2024 and 78% in 2025, remaining several points higher than the Virginia averages (69%, 71%, and 73%, respectively).
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Science: FCPS pass rates improved from 72% in 2023 to 73% in 2024 and 75% in 2025. In each year, FCPS exceeded the state average (67%, 68%, and 71%).
This past year there was a new reading and math curriculum, as well as more difficult tests, and our students still raised their scores! This is a testament to the hard work of our students and staff! Our Algebra 1 pass rates are also very good, with a 100% pass rate for students taking the course in sixth and seventh grade, and a 95% percent pass rate for students taking the course in eighth grade.
Food and Nutrition Services
 In the Strategic Plan Update portion of the School Board meeting, the topic was our Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) team. FNS is amazing! Last year:
- With a total of 1,295 staff members
- FNS Served 110,000 meals every day
- Which breaks down to - 31,500 breakfasts, 77,500 lunches, 1,000 after-school meals - that's a lot of food!
As part of her presentation, Dr. Reid shared this video that shows how FNS is building stronger family, school, and community connections through food.
Back to School Nights
 My Braddock District team was happy to greet families at Back to School Nights at Keene Mill Elementary School, Little Run Elementary School and Braddock Elementary School over the last week to ensure families have the resources they need.
NMSC Semifinalists
 Across FCPS, 262 students from 19 FCPS high schools have been named National Merit Semifinalists for 2026. Congratulations to 133 outstanding students from Fairfax High School, Lake Braddock Secondary School, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, West Springfield High School and Woodson High School for being named National Merit Scholarship Competition Semifinalists! Of the millions of high school students that took the PSAT last year, these students joined 16,000 nationwide to be in the top 1% of PSAT scorers. I am so proud of these students and encourage each of them to continue in the competition to become NMSC Finalists, and earn scholarships to a college or university of their choice!
National Wildlife Federation EcoSchool Awardees
 I continue to be impressed with our young learners and all that they do in coordination with our Get2Green Initiatives across FCPS. And now our schools are being recognized for their environmentally friendly contributions to boot! The National Wildlife Federation has released its list of 2024-2025 EcoSchool Award winners. Congratulations to the 12 award winning schools that Braddock District students attend:
Green Flag Schools include
- Annandale Terrace ES
- Braddock ES
- Canterbury Woods ES
- Cherry Run ES
- North Springfield ES
- Terra Centre ES
- White Oaks ES
- Katherine Johnson MS
- Thomas Jefferson HSST
- Woodson HS
Additionally, Lewis HS was awarded Silver, and Laurel Ridge ES was awarded Bronze.
 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.
🏗️ Referendo sobre el Bono Escolar en la Boleta de Votación del martes 4 de noviembre
El Referendo sobre el Bono Escolar de $460 millones, para apoyar el compromiso de la división escolar y del condado de proveerles a todos los estudiantes ambientes para el aprendizaje que sean seguros y acogedores, estará en la boleta de votación de las elecciones generales del martes 4 de noviembre.
Se espera que los fondos provistos por los bonos aprobados por los votantes financien los proyectos identificados en el Programa de Mejoras de Infraestructura para el Año Fiscal 2026-2030, el cual fue aprobado por la Junta Escolar en febrero de este año.
🎤 Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid and Community Boundary Review Meetings
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. 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.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities. These events are also a chance for you to share your thoughts and ask questions about FCPS. Events are planned for the following dates with the closest location for most Braddock families being Friday, October 3, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Annandale Terrace Elementary School.
There will also be Community Boundary Review Meetings as part of Phase 2 (Part 2). The more convenient meeting locations for Braddock families will be held:
- Friday, September 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Woodson High School (In Person or Virtual)
- For Woodson and Fairfax High School Pyramids
- Monday, September 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Lake Braddock Secondary (In Person or Virtual)
- For Lake Braddock Secondary School and West Springfield High School Pyramids
- Tuesday, September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Edison High School (In Person or Virtual)
- For Edison and Lewis High School Pyramids
- Monday, October 13, 6:30-8 p.m., at Robinson Secondary School
- For Centreville High School and Robinson Secondary School Pyramids
- Tuesday, October 21, 6:30-8 p.m., at Annandale High School
- For Justice and Annandale High School Pyramids
- Monday, October 27, 6:30-8 p.m., at Fairfax High School
- For Woodson and Fairfax High School Pyramids
- Wednesday, October 29, 6:30-8 p.m., at Lewis High School
- For Edison and Lewis High School Pyramids
- Thursday, October 30, 7-8:30 p.m., at Irving Middle School
- For Lake Braddock Secondary School and West Springfield High School Pyramids
If you are unable to participate in a meeting, you will still be able to provide feedback in the Boundary Explorer Tool.
Student Leadership Development Program - Applications Due FRIDAY
 Fairfax County Public Schools freshmen, sophomores, and juniors with an interest in law, government, policy, or making a difference in their community should apply to be a member of the Student Leadership Development Programs SY2025-2026 Cohort! Applications are open until this Friday, September 26.
The School Board’s Student Leadership Development Program provides 12 FCPS students with a unique opportunity to work with local decision makers and gain a better understanding of how our school system is governed. I cherish guiding a Braddock District student through the program, so make sure to apply today!
Back-to-School Edition of Special Education and 504 Newsletter
The Back-to-School issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. 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.
Some of the topics in this issue include:
- Building a Culture of Belonging - Inclusive Education at FCPS
- Updated and Translated: Special Education and Section 504 Resources
- Personal Electronic Devices for Students with Disabilities
- Supporting Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learner
Upcoming Family Resource Center Seminars
 The Family Resource Center has many great resources for our FCPS families every year. This Fall, they will host a seminar series, "Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs" in person at the Annandale Community Center every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon, from September 25 through November 20. If you are able, I highly encourage you to attend as the seminar series will be sure to teach you something new about proven strategies to help your kids.
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.
Learn more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS.
📝 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.
📝 Las Solicitudes de Cupo para la “Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology” Abren el Lunes 20 de Octubre
Animamos a todos aquellos estudiantes de octavo grado que tengan la aptitud y sientan pasión por STEM (Siglas en inglés de ciencias, tecnología, ingeniería, y matemáticas) a que soliciten su admisión a la clase del año 2030 de la Escuela Thomas Jefferson de Ciencias y Tecnología (TJHSST, por sus siglas en inglés).
La planilla para solicitar su cupo estará disponible el lunes 20 de octubre, a las 4 p.m. Las solicitudes deberán comenzar a llenarse antes de las 4 p.m. del miércoles 12 de noviembre, y la fecha tope para el envío de las solicitudes serán las 4 p.m. del viernes 14 de noviembre. Para encontrar más información, visite la página de registro de TJHSST, donde encontrará incluso el calendario de sesiones informativas que se realizarán en escuelas medias.
Homecoming Football Games
 Mark your calendars! Varsity Football Homecoming games have started this year, with the next one being held at Lake Braddock Secondary School on October 10th.
Blue Envelope Program
 A few years ago, I asked Supervisor Lusk and the ARC of Northern Virginia to create safe spaces for people with disabilities to practice traffic stops and interactions with public safety personnel. We held our first "practice traffic stop" in the bitter cold in 2020! So I am pleased to see the state expand upon this concept by creating a blue envelope program for drivers with autism. Check out more about this program!
Be SMART - Gun Violence Prevention
This month is Suicide Prevention month. One-third of gun deaths in children are suicides—more than 700 child gun suicides each year. More than 80 percent of the time, the guns that teens use in suicide come from a family member’s home.
Securing firearms can save a life.
We can all take these simple steps to help prevent shootings by children: Secure all guns and ammunition in your home and vehicles; Model responsible behavior around guns; Ask about the presence of unsecured firearms in other homes your child visits (for example, playdates or relative's homes); Recognize the roles of guns in suicide; Talk to your peers about these important safety measures.
You can learn more at FCPS's website on gun violence prevention and BeSmartForKids.org. You can also learn more about Virginia's Red Flag Law, which prevents individuals who show signs of being a threat to themselves or others from purchasing, possessing or transporting any kind of firearm.
New Braddock District Accounts
With Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw's recent election to become Congressman James Walkinshaw, the Braddock District Supervisor's Office staff wanted to make sure constituents know that there has been a change in social media accounts. The following are accounts for the Braddock District Office that you can follow for news and information until a new Braddock District Supervisor is elected.
Office of Braddock District Supervisor
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/braddocksupervisor/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/braddock_supervisor/
Twitter/X - https://x.com/BraddockSup
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/braddocksupervisor/
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/braddocksupervisor.bsky.social/
Threads - Braddock District Supervisor (@braddock_supervisor)
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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