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Herndon's Success Spotlight
Spirit Days to Dance Night: Homecoming Week
Get ready, Hornets! Herndon High School's Homecoming Spirit Week is here, running from October 6-10, 2025, and is packed with events like themed spirit days, a pep rally, and a bonfire. The excitement builds all week long, culminating in the Powderpuff game, the traditional Homecoming parade, and the main event: a thrilling football game on Friday. All the festivities lead up to the grand finale on Saturday—the annual Homecoming dance.
Hornets Edge Seahawks in Rivalry Thriller
The Herndon High School Hornets secured a thrilling victory over their rivals, the South Lakes High School Seahawks, in their football matchup on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Herndon. The Hornets won a close contest with a final score of 23-20, marking a significant win at their home field. This victory was a pivotal moment for the Herndon team, improving their record and giving them bragging rights in the rivalry.
 
October 06-10: Homecoming Spirit Week
October 06: Jersey/College Day
October 07: Adam Sandler Day
October 08: Pajama Day
October 08: SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT Testing Day
October 09: Hawaiian Day
October 10: Class Colors Day, Pep Rally, Powerpuff Game at 6:00 pm, Bonfire at 7:00 pm
October 11: Homecoming Parade at 9:30 am, Football Game vs McLean at 1:00 pm, Homecoming Dance at 7:00 pm
October 15: Fall Choir and Orchestra Concert, 7:00 pm, Auditorium
Herndon HS Calendar of Events
Monday, October 6
Tuesday, October 7
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🩳 Adam Sandler Day - Wear baggy clothes and graphic tees
Wednesday, October 8
- 💤 Pajama Day - NO CLASSES (PSAT+SAT day)
Thursday, October 9
- 🌴 Hawaiian Day - Hawaiian leis, shirts, or tropical clothes
Friday, October 10
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❤️ Class Colors Day - Freshman (🩶grey), Sophomores (🤍white), Juniors (❤️red), Seniors (🖤black)
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📣 Pep Rally - 4th period
- 🏈 Powerpuff Game - 6:00-7:00 pm: Admission is free, come cheer on the juniors and seniors! Around 100 students are participating in the game and the halftime performance.
- 🔥Bonfire - 7:00-9:00 pm: Admission is free, hang out and make some s’mores!
Saturday, October 11
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🥁 Homecoming Parade starts at 9:30 am
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🏈 Football Game vs McLean High School at 1:00 pm
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💃 Homecoming Dance at 7:00-10:00 pm
PSAT/NMSQT/SAT School Day
On Wednesday, October 8, tenth and eleventh grade students will be taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) exam, and all registered twelfth grade students will be participating in SAT School Day. Grade 12 students who signed up prior to September 4, 2025 will be taking the SAT Test.
School Day Schedule
All FCPS high schools will operate on a two-hour early release schedule. High school academy courses and all high school shuttles will be canceled on this day.
Grade 9 and Grade 12 Students
During the PSAT/SAT School Day, most ninth grade students will have an unscheduled school day and not attend school. On this day, ninth grade students are encouraged to complete any missing work or assignments that need to be completed prior to the end of the first quarter.
Please note that ninth grade students with disabilities taught on an adapted curriculum (students receiving low incidence special education services) will continue to receive in-person instruction with a 2-hour early release on October 8th.
Grade 12 students who did not sign up to take the SAT will have an unscheduled school day and not attend school. On this day, twelfth grade students are encouraged to complete any missing work or assignments that need to be completed prior to the end of the first quarter.
Transportation
FCPS transportation is available for all students participating in the PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day. Regular bus routes will be provided in the morning and after the early release. Families of students requiring alternate transportation arrangements due to accommodate testing will be contacted directly by the PSAT Coordinator or SAT School Day Coordinator.
Leaving After the Testing Window is Completed
Students will have the opportunity to leave the building upon the conclusion of the testing window (scheduled for 11:15 AM). However, parent/guardian permission must be granted through the completion of the PSAT/SAT Attendance Form. The completed form must be turned into Mrs. Barr in the Student Services Office by Tuesday, October 7, 2025. No handwritten notes or phone calls will be accepted in lieu of the form.
For those students who submit the required documentation, with parent/guardian permission, to leave school immediately following PSAT or SAT testing on October 8, 2025, please be reminded of the following instructions:
- Students must promptly exit the building upon completion of the PSAT or SAT. Your requested dismissal is scheduled for approximately 11:15 a.m.
- Students are not permitted to remain in the building or on campus after the tests have concluded.
- Families are responsible for arranging transportation, as FCPS school buses will not be available.
We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring a smooth and orderly dismissal.
Pre-Survey
Prior to test day, students will complete a digital readiness check during an advisory lesson at school. During the digital readiness check, students will see a voluntary pre-survey that asks questions about a variety of topics. You may opt out of this pre-survey for your student. Additional information about the content of the pre-survey and how to opt out can be found on the SAT and PSAT Pre-Survey Opt-Out Policy webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/node/36639. Please be sure to talk to your student about your opt out choice so your student knows they should not answer the survey questions during the digital readiness check.
If you have questions about the PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day administration, please contact Dr. Gussow.
Fall Choir and Orchestra Concert
October 15th at 7PM
Featuring a combined finale of Norwegian composer Ola Gjielo’s “The Rose,” based on the poem by Christina Rossetti (1830 - 1894), this concert will leave you feeling warm and cozy and ready for autumn. And to go with the upcoming “spooky” season, you will also hear 2 different settings of “Dies Irae” and a song from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! Join us for this free concert performed by the HHS Orchestras and Choirs.
Library News
Freshman Orientation
Freshman Orientation is underway in the library. We’ve created different stations to allow students to move throughout our large library space and get some hands-on practice finding and checking out books. We’ve also created a Hispanic Heritage-themed breakout room where students learn the rules of the library.
Hispanic Heritage Month
In addition to the breakout room, we are proudly displaying books by Hispanic authors and/or about the Hispanic experience and heritage. We’ve also incorporated crafts from a variety of Hispanic cultures in our Makerspace during the month of celebration.
Book Checkout
Students are encouraged to check out books from the library early and often. We’re open before and after school. We are here to help students find whatever it is they’d like to read. If the West Entrance of the library (near the Tech Offices) is unlocked and a member of the library staff is present, students are welcome. Our official hours are:
Mondays -- 7:30 - 3:30
Tuesdays -- 7:30 - 3:00
Wednesdays -- 7:30 - 4:30
Thursdays -- 7:30 - 4:30
Fridays -- 7:30 - 3:00
📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update
FCPS will begin holding October community boundary review meetings 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 in 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 FCPS’ 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 the 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.
Read more about the FCPS 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a voting plan and vote on Tuesday, November 4.
🙋 Every Day Is a Stepping Stone to Success
Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child later in life. It’s a good habit to build now to help them graduate from college on time and routinely report to work on time once they have a career.
Please take a look at the FCPS Calendar. Try to schedule any trips or family events on weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered “chronically absent.”
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, you must report the absence to our school using one of the following methods:
Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for resources on attendance.
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.
Teens skip things that don't interest them, including lectures from their parents. But fentanyl is a threat to young people across the country and in Fairfax County. So it's important to have short, impactful talks with your teen, whether or not you think they’re at risk.
As a parent or caregiver, you have the power to become “unskippable” and talk with your teen in a way they will listen. See tips for talking with your teen about fentanyl and other difficult subjects. Watch this video to learn more about becoming Unskippable.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS Welcomes Military Families
- October Community Boundary Review Meetings
- Community Conversations
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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