Students enjoy the beautiful weather at Jackson Middle School.
Superintendent Message About Federal Government Shutdown
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shared a message today acknowledging the impact of the federal government shutdown on many FCPS families and staff. Dr. Reid emphasized FCPS’ commitment to providing stability for students and highlighted resources available to support families during this time. Read Dr. Reid’s message and explore resources.
⏰ K-12 School Start Times Survey Closes October 6
FCPS is continuing to explore options for adjusting school start times, with the primary goal of beginning the middle school day at 8 a.m. or later. In order to minimize any costs associated with this change, 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. A new School Start Times Survey is open and includes two options that are designed to support student well-being, align with research, balance transportation logistics, and minimize costs.
Staff, parents and caregivers, students, and community members may provide input on the two options by taking the survey. The survey deadline has been extended to Monday, October 6. Find more information on adjusting school start times on the FCPS website.
🎖️ FCPS on Its Way to Becoming Purple Star School Division
Last fall, Dr. Reid announced a goal for FCPS to become a Purple Star Division by the 2026-27 school year. Virginia school districts are awarded Purple Star Division status when 100% of their schools earn and/or maintain their Purple Star Designation.
More than 12,000 military-connected students are enrolled in FCPS. The division currently has 96 Purple Star Schools. FCPS expects approximately 90 schools to earn or renew their Purple Star status this year. This will bring FCPS close to having 70% of its schools recognized. We’re almost there!
Read more about the Purple Star Division goal.
Beyond the Basics: 6th Graders Tackle Algebra
A group of sixth grade students is part of a FCPS pilot program designed to expand access to Algebra 1 in sixth grade for highly qualified students. More than one-third of FCPS elementary schools are part of the pilot, with each school having anywhere from one to more than 50 students participating. Read more about the pilot algebra program.
✨ Successful completion of Algebra 1 by eighth grade is one of the measures of Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence.
🏫 Reid All About It in Weekly Reflections: Opening of Schools Report
At last week’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid presented her Opening of Schools Report. The presentation reviews the status of FCPS schools, programs, and projects for the 2025-26 school year. Watch Dr. Reid’s presentation.
Read more about the presentation and School Board meeting in Dr. Reid’s Weekly Reflections.
✨ Preparing Students for the Future
In the Academic Matters portion of the School Board meeting, Dr. Reid discussed future-ready students in FCPS, which is part of Strategic Plan Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation.
In FCPS, we prepare students for their future by helping them:
- Participate in learning experiences that build durable Portrait of a Graduate skills.
- Clearly speak about their strengths and advocate for themselves.
- Take responsibility for making informed life and financial decisions.
- Engage in learning experiences that create future opportunities.
As part of the presentation, Dr. Reid shared this video, which provides examples of future-ready opportunities for students from kindergarten through high school that build essential skills, financial literacy, and career readiness.
2026-27 FAFSA Form Now Open
Federal Student Aid has released the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Any college-bound high school senior — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to work with their students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Check each college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and financial aid forms. Then, create an account if you have not already done so, and fill out the FAFSA.
The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application has not yet opened, but should be available in late January for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. To help determine which aid option is right for you, visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website.
Get Help Filling Out the FAFSA
Over the next few months, College Access Fairfax will offer several programs on completing the FAFSA/VASA and finding and applying for scholarships. Get information on these programs and how to access them on the College Access Fairfax website.
College Access Fairfax staff are available for virtual one-on-one help sessions to help complete the FAFSA/VASA. To request an appointment, families should email appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org.
Outstanding Building Supervisor Goes the Extra Mile
Thursday, October 2, is National Custodian Appreciation Day. Thanks to our custodial team, we have a clean, safe place to learn, teach, and work.
One of our amazing custodial employees is Liliana Alfaro, building supervisor at Robinson Secondary School. Last school year, while working as building supervisor at Falls Church High School, Liliana was named Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee.
Liliana had not only excelled in her position under normal circumstances, but she also consistently went above and beyond to ensure a safe, clean, and welcoming environment at Falls Church High School, even amid ongoing renovations. Read more about Liliana.
☀️ FCPS Celebrates Commitment to Clean Energy on “Sun Day”
On Sunday, September 21, at Louise Archer Elementary School, FCPS celebrated some significant milestones in its efforts to be a national leader in sustainability. The division participated in “Sun Day,” a grassroots event that serves as a day of action to highlight the importance of clean energy by showcasing solar installations and electric-powered homes and vehicles. Read more about Sun Day.
🎤 Community Conversations With Dr. Reid
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 is underway across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities. These events are a chance for you to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. To register for the October 3 meeting, please click on that date below. Registration links for the other dates will be available soon:
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Please check our website for updates.
📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update
Thanks to all who participated in our September community boundary review meetings. October community meetings will begin on Monday, October 13.
The new draft map, Scenario 4, will be shared with the community for feedback at those meetings. It will also be uploaded to the Boundary Explorer Tool shortly before October 13. Community members will then be able to provide feedback in the tool at their convenience.
As a reminder, the community provided feedback on draft scenarios 1-3 during the spring. Scenario 4 continues to build upon the first three scenarios. It is informed by the Superintendent's Boundary Review Advisory Committee, which reviewed community feedback received in the spring to help develop priorities that the consultant used to create Scenario 4.
Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information.
🏗️ Why Are Bonds Needed to Fund FCPS Construction Projects?
The building and renovation of schools are not financed through FCPS’ operating funds, but through bonds. Similar to an individual or a family obtaining a mortgage on a residence to spread the cost of home buying over several years, bonds spread the cost of major capital improvements over a number of years. This ensures that current and future residents and users share in the payment.
This approach is good for our taxes, too. If capital construction were financed out of current tax revenues on a pay-as-you-go basis, projects would need to be paid for in a much shorter time frame, likely reducing other county services or necessitating tax increases. Fortunately, the county’s bonded debt is not likely to be a contributing factor to any increase in local taxes.
A bond referendum to benefit FCPS will be on the ballot this Election Day, Tuesday, November 4. It represents an investment by the community into the facilities everyone uses — whether for school or to gather as a community. Learn more about bonds in this video.
Read more about the FCPS 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a voting plan and vote on Tuesday, November 4.
Scholarships Change Lives!
The ACE Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides scholarships to low-income adult students taking classes through the FCPS Adult and Community Education (ACE) program. Scholarship funds are applied toward tuition, books, and course materials each year for adult students in:
- Apprenticeships
- Business and information technology
- English for Speakers of Other Languages
- Health and medical training
- Occupational training and certificate programs
You Can Help!
It’s now even easier to support this worthwhile program for our community with an online donation! You can donate any amount to ACE Foundation Scholarships. For questions about these scholarships and other educational programs, please email EducationalCounseling@fcps.edu.
To explore and register for adult education classes, visit ACE’s website.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders: Yom Kippur and Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Yom Kippur (Evening-Only Observance and Holiday)
Wednesday, October 1, will be an evening-only observance day for Yom Kippur. There is school that day, but important events will not occur after school.
Thursday, October 2, is a holiday. Schools and offices will be closed.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Holiday)
Monday, October 13, is a student holiday and staff development day for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. See the complete school year calendar.
Gun Safety and Safe Gun Storage
Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.
In FCPS, lessons on gun safety are built into our curriculum. It is critical that parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in their homes, and in any home they may visit.
Our website has gun safety resources as well as detailed information about FCPS safety and security practices in our buildings. See Dr. Reid’s recent letter to the community for more resources.
Safely Store Firearms and Medications
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks that fit a wide variety of firearms. Visit the Lock and Talk website to learn more.
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