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National Hispanic Heritage Month
In This Issue
⚽ Recess Donations
Please consider donating any gently used sports equipment to the school to use during recess. Items that are most useful are soccer balls, basketballs, footballs, kickballs, and frisbees. You can drop them off at the main office during school hours.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan
Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
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.
Each goal has an equity commitment — the promise we make to every student to support them in attaining these goals. Each goal also has several measures that allow us to track our progress.
The first goal in the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they’re joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.See how Goal 1 is being put into practice. Learn more about or enroll in FCPS Pre-K or Early Head Start.
Goal 2: Schools Build Belonging so Students Can Thrive
What does belonging look like in our schools? Fairfax County public schools are creating inclusive, supportive environments where every student feels known, valued, and connected — the second goal of the Strategic Plan. From mentoring to cross-grade collaboration, when students feel safe and supported, they can truly thrive — academically, socially, and emotionally. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice.
Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence
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.
Our third goal is for all students to achieve academic growth and excellence. We want our students to have the academic skills to be successful. See how Goal 3 is being put into practice.
🔒 Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.
⚠️ Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
📱 Cell Phones Off, Learning On
Thank you for helping to support the FCPS cell phone policy by waiting to call or text your child about non-urgent matters until the school day is over. In case of an emergency, it is always best to contact our school’s front office to reach your child during class time.
Visit the FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage to read more about usage policies by grade level and to share your feedback on the current cell phone policy.
🔔 Every Day Counts: Setting Your Child Up for Success
September is Attendance Awareness Month. There are many ways parents and caregivers can help their children create healthy routines and make a habit of getting to school on time every day. Some examples include:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- When possible, avoid medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
Visit the FCPS website for more attendance tips and resources. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
📸 Picture Day is Here!
As a reminder, Strawbridge Studios will be at Herndon MS tomorrow, Thursday, September 18 to take Fall pictures during PE!
Retakes will take place on Thursday, October 30.
Students, don't forget to dress your best tomorrow and come prepared to smile! 😊
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🧑🏫 Save the Date: Back to School Night
We invite all families to join us on tomorrow, Thursday, September 18, from 6:00-8:00 PM for our annual Back-to-School Night!
The pre-session schedule is below:
5:00-5:50 PM: Thomas jefferson HS Information, Auditorium
5:00-5:50 PM: Multi-lingual learner Family Support, Cafeteria
5:30-5:55 PM: Special Education, Library
Class rotations will be from 6:00-8:00PM.
This is a special event for parents and guardians only. We look forward to seeing you there!
📰 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.
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
- Ensuring Safety for Students with Disabilities During Emergencies
- Secondary Advisory Period to Support Executive Functions
- Adapted PE: Inclusive Health and Wellness Education
- Adapted Curriculum: Partnering for Progress
Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.
⚙️ Herndon MS Robotics & Drone Club
Are you ready to design, build, and pilot? Join the Robotics & Drone Club at Back to School Night to learn how you can become part of the team.
What to expect in the club:
- Build Robots
- Design and construct your own robots using VEX IQ kits.
- Learn mechanical and engineering skills in a hands-on environment.
- Program Drones
- Write code to control drone motors, sensors, and flight paths.
- Learn to plan and execute choreographed drone maneuvers.
- Compete and Collaborate
- Work with your fellow Hawks to prepare for thrilling robotics and drone competitions.
- Develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Discover Career Paths
- Explore how these skills are used in exciting, real-world fields like engineering, tech, and filmmaking.
Who can join?
- All Herndon Middle School students are welcome! Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned builder, there is a role for you. We value creativity, teamwork, and curiosity.
How to join
- Speak with Mr. Gralton or our club sponsors at Back to School Night. Additional information about joining the Night Hawk After-School Program will be available.
✨ 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. See how Goal 4 is being put into practice.
🎤 Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. 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.
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 from 6 to 8 p.m.:
Locations and registration links will be shared in future issues of FCPS This Week. Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all.
🏗️ 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.
📝 TJHSST Applications Open Monday, October 20
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
🌞 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 its 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.
🌙 Herndon Homecoming Parade
The Herndon High School Homecoming Parade is on Saturday, October 11, 2025. This year’s theme is “Enchanted Forest,” and we need YOUR help. We’re calling on builders, artists, crafters, tinkerers, performers, or any other parent/family volunteers who wish to help us build our Herndon Middle School float and create a magical show at this year’s parade.
Float building starts on Wednesday, September 10 after-school and occurs daily, leading up to Saturday, October 11. If you would like to donate supplies, volunteer, march with us, or have a trailer we can borrow, please fill out this form here: https://forms.gle/2ZnchyRhL3WV7bCZ7.
We are also holding a Student Design Competition open to all Herndon Middle School students. Please encourage your student to submit their design! Competition rules can be found on the link above.
Questions? Contact Ms. Shivers at lshivers@fcpsschools.net.
🎡 Fall Carnival Fun
Get ready for some fall fun at Frying Pan Farm Park! Frying Pan is hosting several family-friendly events this October - be sure to stop by!
Big Truck Night | Friday, October 17, from 5:00-7:00 PM, you can see a variety of large vehicles, from huge tractors to giant fire engines. Admission is free, but there is a $10 parking fee.
Farm Harvest Days | Saturday and Sunday, October 18-19, from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM to see the cider press in action, milk a cow, meet farm animals, play games, and watch farm demonstrations. This event also has free admission with a $10 parking fee.
Fall Carnival | Friday, October 17, through Sunday, October 19. Enjoy games, rides, and tasty fair food. You can purchase an unlimited rides wristband for $20 if you buy it online before 5:00 PM on Friday, October 17. The price is $25 at the door. The carnival hours are:
- Friday: 5:00-9:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM-10:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM-6:00 PM
Frying Pan Farm Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA. You can find more information at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park.
👨👩👧👦 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.
✔️ Checklist of 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 our front office 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 will 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 our 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 our front office by Tuesday, September 30.
🚍 Student Bus Passes Offer Free Transportation All Year
All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the pass, fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year.
Children 12 and younger ride for free on Fairfax Connector with a paying adult.
Learn more about the Student Pass. Complete the application and return it to Ms. Shivers or the main office.
🌱 Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact Ms. Fry, our school registrar if you need a code.
Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. You may also access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
💻 Catch Up on Your Child’s Classwork in Schoology
Teachers use Schoology to post their classroom materials online; to provide a secure forum for students to discuss their ideas and collaborate on projects; and to assign and collect homework electronically. It helps students stay organized, and it keeps the class connected.
A Schoology Parent Account gives you access to:
- Your child’s classes.
- Your child’s upcoming assignments.
- School, class, and group announcements.
To access Schoology, parents will need to have an active SIS/ParentVUE account. Get more information on how to login and use Schoology.
🍴 Apply Today for Free and Reduced Price Meals!
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost.
Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits. Access the application and view criteria on the Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage
Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
🗣️ Family Information Line Available in Nine Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
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.
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September
17, 18 | Picture Day
18 | Back to School Night, 6:00-8:00 PM
23 | Rosh Hashanah (begins sundown 9/22-sundown 9/24)
27-Oct 5 | Blue Star Welcome Week
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FCPS Cares
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.
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