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Creativity, Community & Clean Cars!
What an eventful week! Our students rocked the house with our annual talent show with their energy, courage and creativity - and our amazing staff lit up the stage in the always-popular Staff Dance!
We kept the fun going with a successful Choir Car Wash fundraiser, where students had the opportunity to meet members of Herndon High's choir program while raising vital funds for our music program. Make sure you don't miss our first pyramid concert at Herndon High on October 27th!
Thank you, families, for your incredible support of our students' talents and our amazing programs!
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In This Issue
✨ 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.
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.
🏗️ What Is a Bond?
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.
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.
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.
📝 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
🏫 What Will the 2025 Bond Referendum on the November Ballot Fund?
The $460M bond referendum on the November ballot is expected to fund the next stages of several ongoing projects, as well as others referenced in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
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. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a plan to vote by Tuesday, November 4.
🎤 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 are being 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 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all
Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid
7th Grade Signs of Suicide Screening
All middle and high schools in FCPS teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. All schools use an evidence-based program called Signs of Suicide (SOS). The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help.
SOS has been used by thousands of schools over the past few decades. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.
Through the program, students learn:
- that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help
- how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend
- to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend
- who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it
Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend.
Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. This tool cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional.
We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. If you would like to view the SOS lesson materials, we will be hosting a viewing session on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 from 10:00am-10:30 am in the Herndon Middle School cafeteria. You can also view this parent video or visit this site to learn more about how you can continue this important conversation at home.
At Herndon Middle School only 7th grade students will receive the SOS lesson and accompanying screening on either Tuesday, October 14th or Thursday, October 16th during 1st period Learning Seminar.
We recognize that you may have opted your child out of this program through the Parent Digital Consent tool (PDC). If you did not complete an opt out using the PDC and would still like to do so, you can opt your child out of this lesson by emailing our registrar, Susanna Fry at smfry@fcps.edu. by Friday, October 10th.
📓 Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) believes in supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) for all students. In FCPS, students use a tool called the SEL Screener to think about their own SEL skills and experiences at school. Herndon Middle School students in grades 7 & 8 will be participating in the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in the Fall and Spring.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information about the SEL Screener, visit Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. Students at Herndon Middle School will begin taking the SEL Screener during the window of October 21-October 31st.
To opt your student out of the SEL Screener, please email Susanna Fry at smfry@fcps.edu no later than October 15th.
🍲 New Food Items Include Hearty Homestyle Favorites
Our new menu items debuting in September and October feature hearty homestyle favorites — including veggie chili, pictured above — and fresh global inspiration! Other new additions include:
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Breakfast: Cinnamon apple overnight oats, mini blueberry pancakes, French toast sticks, egg and cheese breakfast quesadillas and tacos, and turkey sausage and cheese bagels.
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Lunch: Teriyaki chicken stir-fry, teriyaki chickenless bites stir-fry, cheesy turkey pepperoni pasta, cheesy pasta with marinara sauce, deep dish pizza, and cheesy fiesta nachos.
Check our online menu to see when your child can try new recipes developed by FCPS’ executive chef and team of food and nutrition experts, based on student feedback.
🗣️ Become Unskippable: Practical Guidance for Talking With Teens
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 our tips for talking with your teen about fentanyl and other difficult subjects. Watch this video to learn more about becoming Unskippable.
🛡️ Open Gate Going Live
Open Gate screeners are now being implemented across the county. This week, we'll start setting up and practicing our own implementation right here at Herndon MS. The Open Gate system will officially go live on Friday, October 3. We will be prepping students all week, with reminders, practice, and a procedures video with their peers walking through the system.
Want to see this through the eyes of your student? Watch here.
If you would like to know more about the full walkthrough procedure, you can watch Dr. Bordenkecher model the system.
Please reach out to Herndon Administration with any questions you may have.
🚗 Exiting Kiss and Ride
We appreciate everyone’s effort to make our arrival and dismissal routines safe and efficient! Your cooperation is key to keeping the lines moving.
To help maintain the flow and ensure everyone's safety, please remember that only right turns are allowed at the stop sign on Locust Street and 5th. Buses are the only exception to this rule, as they must take specific routes to keep their schedules.
As always, thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep arrival and dismissal safe for all our students and families!
🌙 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.
🗣️ 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.
👨👩👧👦 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.
🌱 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.
✔️ 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 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.
🍴 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.
📑 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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October
10 | No Night Hawk
11 | Herndon HS Homecoming Parade
13 | Indigenous Peoples’ Day
14 | 7th Grade SOS Program
16 | 7th Grade SOS Program
20 | Diwali
21-31 | SEL Screener Window
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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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