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Happy Friday Cedar Lane Community!!
We had a fantastic end to our Spirit Week today with our field trip to the National Zoo. In the words of Dr. Farrish, "I wanted to take a moment to share how amazing our field trip to the zoo was today. Our students were truly engaged and excited as they explored the various exhibits, and it was wonderful to see their curiosity flourish in such a vibrant environment. They were kind to others and each other, respectful and asked many interesting questions. Each year, we have students who have never visited the National Zoo in Washington DC. This is always an amazing beginning of the year field trip for our kids!" We couldn't be more proud of our students for their excellent behavior and enthusiasm.
Just a friendly reminder that there will be no school for students on Tuesday, September 23rd, in observance of Rosh Hashanah. We hope everyone has a restful and reflective holiday.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
The Staff of Cedar Lane
Contents:
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.Â
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.Â
Contact the Student Services team at your child’s school with any questions. Learn more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS.
Fechas de los Exámenes SAT y PSAT/NMSQT
El DĂa del Examen SAT y de la EvaluaciĂłn Clasificatoria al PSAT/”National Merit Scholarship” (NMSQT, por sus siglas en inglĂ©s) se efectuarán sin costo alguno para las familias, el miĂ©rcoles 8 de octubre en cada una de las escuelas secundarias. El examen digital “SAT School Day” lo toman estudiantes de 12vo. Grado, y el examen digital PSAT/NMSQT lo toman estudiantes de 10mo. y 11vo. grados.Â
DĂa sin ProgramaciĂłn para Estudiantes de Noveno Grado
Debido a los exámenes, la mayorĂa de los estudiantes de noveno grado no tendrán clases el 8 de octubre. Se les recomienda a los estudiantes que completen cualquier trabajo o tarea pendiente que deban terminar antes de que se termine el primer trimestre. Â
Los estudiantes de noveno grado que tengan alguna discapacidad, que reciban servicios de educación especial para discapacidades de baja ocurrencia aún recibirán el 8 de octubre instrucción en persona, con dos horas de salida temprana.
Contacte al equipo de servicios al estudiante de la escuela de su hijo si tiene cualquier pregunta. Conozca más sobre las evaluaciones SAT y PSAT en FCPS.
Take the K-12 School Start Times Survey
FCPS is continuing to explore options for adjusting school start times, with the primary goal of starting the middle school day at 8 a.m. or later. In order to minimize any cost for this project, elementary and high school start times would need to shift as well.
Providing feedback opportunities for the community is a critical part of this effort. Since 2024, FCPS’ consultant has hosted five community forums and administered two surveys. That feedback helped in developing two options for adjusting school start times. The options are designed to support student well-being, align with research, and balance transportation logistics.
We invite you to provide input on the two options by taking a short survey. This voluntary survey will close on Tuesday, September 30. Visit the FCPS website for more information on adjusting school start times.
 To pay for large-scale construction and renovation work, Fairfax County sells bonds, which allows the county to pay for these projects over time — like a home mortgage. By maintaining its triple-A bond rating, Fairfax County bonds are purchased by institutional investors at very low rates, saving the county considerable amounts of money that might otherwise be paid in interest. The county estimates that the triple-A rating has saved taxpayers at least $1 billion in financing costs.Â
FCPS uses bonds to fund all of its capital improvement projects – the projects that are focused on the infrastructure of schools and facilities. From important renovations to new safety features like security vestibules, this work is paid for by bonds.Â
FCPS will have a bond referendum on the ballot this election day, Tuesday, November 4. Bonds can make a difference that represents an investment in public education now and in the future.
Read more about the FCPS 2025 Bond Referendum. And learn more about registering to vote and make a voting plan.
 ✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation✨
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.Â
Goal 5 focuses on preparing every student for life after graduation with the skills they need to thrive. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.
🎤 Join a Community Conversation 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.Â
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. Events are planned for the following dates:
- Monday, September 29, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at McNair Upper Elementary School
- Friday, October 3, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Annandale Terrace Elementary School
- Friday, December 5, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Churchill Road Elementary School
- Tuesday, December 9, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School
- Thursday, December 11, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Bull Run Elementary School
Registration links will be shared soon. Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all.
Participate in an Upcoming Community Boundary Review MeetingÂ
As a reminder, FCPS will hold two sets of community boundary review meetings this fall — one in September and another in October. Each set of meetings will focus on two pyramids per meeting.Â
All September meetings will include an overview of where FCPS is in the comprehensive boundary review process, an update and opportunity for feedback on school start times, how community input is informing the process, and next steps in the boundary review process.Â
The meeting for our pyramid will be held Friday, September 19, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Madison High School (In Person or Virtual). Please register by clicking “in person” or “virtual,” depending on how you would like to participate.Â
Child care for in-person participants and language interpretation/translation for all participants will be available as needed.Â
Visit the FCPS website for a full list of meeting dates and information about the October meetings.
🎓 Resources for Life After High School
Roadmap to College: What Students Should Do Each Year of High School
Join the FCPS Family Resource Center for this engaging and informative webinar on what high school students should do to stand out on college applications. Attend for a guide for families and clear strategies for college preparation and success. This webinar is for families of upper-middle and high school students. Register to attend online on Friday, October 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
College Fair and Postsecondary Night
Prepare for your student’s future at College Fair and Postsecondary Night. The annual FCPS College Fair will be held Sunday, October 19, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena, from 4 to 6 p.m. Approximately 200 colleges and universities will be represented, including two- and four-year schools and U.S. Service Academies.Â
The virtual postsecondary night event will be held on Tuesday, October 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. Both events will help students prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey. Learn more about the College Fair and postsecondary virtual event.Â
Financial Aid Resources for Parents and Students
Parents and students in the Class of 2026 are invited to attend a series of workshops designed to help them understand the financial aid and scholarship processes. Join College Access Fairfax at any of the following virtual presentations. Click on a date to join the session:
- Paying for College for Seniors
- Paying for College for Military Families
- FAFSA Line-by-Line
For more information, contact info@collegeaccessfairfax.org.Â
Be one of the first to submit the 2026-27 FAFSA® form!
The U.S. Department of Education is looking for students to help test the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form before it’s released by October 1.
By joining beta testing, students can:
- Submit their 2026–27 FAFSA form early.
- Get a head start on the financial aid process.
- Be part of shaping the future of the FAFSA experience.
Sign up today.Â
Career and Transition Services (CTS) Presents the Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair
The Moving on to Life in the Community exhibitor fair will introduce and connect families and students with IEPs to adult service providers and community supports they may need upon exiting the school system. Register to attend the community resource fair at Robinson Secondary School on Thursday, November 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
 https://forms.gle/ySG8J7c1Wyj4TzCH6
October 4, 2025 -- Mosaic District
AFSP’s Out of the Darkness Walks are a journey of remembrance, hope, andsupport. They unite our communities and acknowledge how suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we care about. Join the movement to create a culture that’s smart about mental health by registering to walk, giving a gift, becoming a sponsor, and/or signing up to volunteer at: https://afspwalks.donordrive.com/Fairfax
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🌞 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.Â
Bring the family for live music, solar story time, student-led sustainability demos, and other activities. Register for Sun Day today.
🌞 Celebra el DĂa del Sol el 21 de septiembreÂ
Celebra el lanzamiento de la iniciativa solar de FCPS y la llegada de 17 nuevos autobuses escolares elĂ©ctricos a la Escuela Primaria Louise Archer el domingo 21 de septiembre, de 10 a. m. a mediodĂa. Ven a conocer más sobre el gran trabajo que FCPS está realizando para reducir su huella de carbono y cumplir con los objetivos de sostenibilidad. Traiga a su familia para disfrutar de mĂşsica en vivo, cuentos sobre energĂa solar, demostraciones de sostenibilidad dirigidas por estudiantes y otras actividades. InscrĂbase hoy mismo para atender el DĂa del Sol.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- 🏆 262 FCPS Students Named 2026 National Merit SemifinalistsÂ
- 🎓 Resources for Life After High SchoolÂ
- Practical Guidance for Talking With Teens About Fentanyl
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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