Hello Seahawk Families and Community,

Can you feel it? There's a distinct change in the air. This is a subtle shift that reminds us the season is evolving, and with it, the school year is moving at a brisk pace!

We are witnessing some truly amazing things happening daily in our classrooms. Our students are deep into fascinating projects, mastering new concepts, and collaborating in exciting ways.  The energy is palpable, and the hard work is paying off!

As we approach the end of the first quarter, this is a crucial time to pause, take a deep breath, and double down on our focus. The first grading period is like the initial sprint in a marathon; it sets the tone for the rest of the race.

We want to encourage all our students to make a focused effort over these coming weeks. This means:

• Reviewing Notes: Don't wait until the night before the test! Spend a little time each day going over classwork.
• Completing Assignments: Check to ensure all homework, projects, and make-up work are submitted. Every point counts!
• Asking for Help: If a concept is confusing, now is the time to reach out to a teacher, a study buddy, or attend a study hall session. We are here to support you!

Let's make sure that all the fantastic learning and hard work from the past weeks translate into strong final grades for the first quarter. Finishing this period strong builds confidence and momentum that will carry our students successfully through the rest of the semester.

With Gratitude,

Carlos Seward

We value your feedback. Share your observations, suggestions, questions and celebrations with me here.

Varsity Tutors Online Tutoring

I want to remind you about a powerful and free academic support available to all South Lakes students: Varsity Tutors Online Tutoring, accessible through Clever. This service is highly valuable, yet underutilized, and I encourage every student to take advantage of it.

Here are three key features all families should know:

• Live Help Anytime – Chat tutoring with a live tutor is available 24/7, ensuring that students always have access to help after school, in the evenings, or on weekends.
• Support in Spanish – Tutoring is available in Spanish as well as English.
• Essay Review/Feedback – Students can submit written work and receive detailed, professional feedback to strengthen their writing.

Other helpful features include live group classes in many subjects, self-study tools, and College & Career readiness resources, including SAT/ACT test prep, guidance with college applications, and resume/interview preparation.

Varsity Tutors can provide the extra support our students need to succeed in their classes, prepare for tests, and build confidence as learners. Please encourage your student to explore this valuable tool and make it a regular part of their academic routine.

You can learn more about Varsity Tutors and log in directly through Clever: https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-academy/tutoring-options/online-tutoring-service

Together, we can make sure every Seahawk has the support needed to reach their highest potential.

We’re excited to offer you a more convenient option for receiving your student’s report cards: Go Paperless!

By choosing to go paperless, you'll be able to:

1. Access report cards directly in ParentVUE with just a few clicks.
2. Reduce wait time in seeing your student’s report card.

Here's how you can OPT-IN:

1. Log into ParentVUE, click on "My Account," and select “Go Paperless.”
2. All parents/guardians living with the student at the same address must have an active SIS ParentVUE account to opt-in.
3. Once selected, the “Go Paperless” option will apply to all associated students, no matter their grade level.
4. If you’ve already opted for paperless for your secondary students, it will automatically apply to any younger siblings at the elementary level too!

As in previous years, the fees for the first six IB and AP tests taken for courses in which students are enrolled for high school credit will be paid by FCPS. Students taking AP tests without enrolling in the corresponding FCPS course are responsible for the test fee(s). 

FCPS expects all students to take IB and AP tests for courses in which they are enrolled. However, students will have the opportunity to opt-out of the test(s) during this opt-out window.

If you would like to opt-out of an IB exam, please fill out this form while logged in to your fcpsschools.net account and you will receive an opt out form to sign and return to the school. 

If you would like to opt-out of an AP exam, contact Patrick Tubbins at petubbins@fcps.edu.  

Students must make opt-out decisions by October 31, 2025.

Parents will be billed a non-refundable test fee in December 2025 through MySchoolBucks for tests that exceed the six FCPS funded tests.

Reference the IB exam dates site for the schedule of IB Exams. IB exam slots are fixed, and students cannot take exams at alternate times.            

Your Next Chapter Starts Here: College Fair and Virtual 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. 

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 Virtual Postsecondary Night. 

Roadmap to College: What Students Should Do Each Year of High School 

Join FCPS’ Family Resource Center for a webinar on what high school students should do to stand out on college applications. Receive clear strategies for college preparation and success. This webinar will take place on Friday, October 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and is for families of eighth graders and high school students. Register to attend.

All Families Opted in to Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report

FCPS provides families with a free service that allows parents and caregivers a way to stay informed about their child's online activity on any FCPS device. Starting Sunday, October 12, all parents and guardians who have access to student records in SIS ParentVUE will be automatically enrolled to receive a weekly Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report.

This report provides a summary of the websites your child visited during the previous week and is delivered every Sunday to your email directly from Lightspeed, our internet content filter. 

Each weekly report also includes a link to register for the Lightspeed Parent Portal, which provides more detailed browsing information. This portal also gives you the ability to pause internet access on your child’s FCPS laptop during non-school hours, such as dinner or bedtime. 

Visit the Lightspeed Parent Report page for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.

School Bond Referendum on Ballot Tuesday, November 4

 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. 

Video: What Is a Bond? Video

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.

Voters have a direct role in shaping the future of FCPS schools. Read more about the 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote.

Participate in an Upcoming Community Boundary Review Meeting

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. 

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. 

The September meeting for our pyramid was held on September 24th at South Lakes High School. If you missed this event, the October meeting will be held at Herndon High School, Tuesday, October 14, 6:30 - 8:00 PM. 

Child care for in-person participants and language interpretation/translation for all participants will be available as needed. 

For more information on the Comprehensive Boundary Review, visit Comprehensive School Boundary Review 

Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations

Please make sure your child has all of their necessary immunizations. Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy!

Starting Tuesday, November 18, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. Visit the How To Submit Immunization Documents webpage for step-by-step guidance on how to check your child’s immunization status and submit updated immunization information 

Please check with your health care provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2025-26 school year. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources. Be wise and immunize!