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In This Issue
Technology Blackout: No Screens, No Problem!
Last week our technology blackout day was a huge hit, many of our teachers loved it so much they chose to keep it going for multiple days!
It was a joy to see students fully engaged, proving that the best connection is often human. We caught amazing discourse strategies in AVID, saw brilliant problem-solving with old-school chalk and math manipulatives for ratio work, and watched as students dove into Science textbooks for deep note-taking.
Classes were going old school with paper-pencil assessments and the satisfying sound of filling in Scan-Tron bubbles! Even our tech teacher joined the fun, teaching binary code with color sheets and hosting a fun throwback lesson on how to sign their names in cursive.
Way to go, everyone! You showed that brilliant learning happens whether the Wi-Fi is on or off!
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👂Vision and Hearing
Parent/Guardian, vision and hearing screenings for all 7th graders and students who are new to FCPS will be conducted during Health & P.E. classes on Tuesday, October 28 and Wednesday, October 29. If your student wears glasses or contact lenses, please ensure they bring and wear them on the day of the screening.
Should the screening indicate a need for further evaluation, you will receive a notification letter with additional information.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Health Room at (703) 904-4810, or reach out via email to: Shannon Mansfield, School Public Health Nurse, at shannon.mansfield@fairfaxcounty.gov or Hyein Jung, School Health Aide, at hjung1@fcps.edu.
📓 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 Tuesday, October 21-Friday, October 31.
⭐ Supporting Military Connected Students
We are thrilled to announce that Herndon Middle School has been recognized with the prestigious Purple Star Award!
This award, approved by the Virginia Council on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children, recognizes our school's commitment and support for our military-connected students and families. We are proud to serve those who serve!
✍️ Applications for TJHSST
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.
🍂 Tips for Healthy Living and Family Fun!
As we welcome the cozy fall season, it's a great time to emphasize staying active and making healthy choices for our students’ well-being. Here are some autumn tips:
Enjoy Fall's Harvest: Encourage your child to try seasonal fruits and vegetables. Cooking together can be fun; try making cinnamon apple slices or
roasted sweet potatoes!
Get Outdoors: Take advantage of the cooler weather by planning activities like hiking, biking, or visiting a pumpkin patch. Enjoying nature promotes fitness and family bonding.
Stay Hydrated: Keep hydration a priority! Remind your child to drink water regularly.
Practice Mindful Eating: With the holidays coming, help your child eat mindfully by enjoying meals slowly and listening to hunger cues. Cooking together can encourage them to try new foods.
Be a Role Model: Show your children healthy eating habits by making nutritious choices and staying active as a family. Your example will
inspire them to follow suit.
Let’s make this fall fun and healthy! Wishing you all a joyful and active season!
🌡️ When Should Your Child Stay Home?
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your student succeed by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. So when should your child stay home? Visit the FCPS website for helpful ideas regarding absences and how to work with your child and our school.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify our school and your child’s teachers so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with our public health nurse. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and tell school staff why and for how long
🩹 Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Immunization clinics will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Willow Oaks Administrative Center on:
- Thursday, November 6
- Tuesday, November 18
- Wednesday, November 19
- Thursday, November 20
A clinic will also take place at Frost Middle School on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year.
Participation is voluntary. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment for their student. Learn more about immunization resources.
💡 How AI Is Shaping Teaching and Learning
Meeting the Moment: FCPS Forward — AI, a conversation with division leadership, which will take place Monday, November 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., at West Springfield High School. Attend to:
- Learn about the opportunities and challenges of AI in education.
- Explore how AI can support FCPS student achievement and workforce readiness.
- Engage in a thought-provoking panel and keynotes.
- Help shape the future of innovation at Fairfax County Public Schools.
Agenda details will be shared with registered participants in the coming weeks. Contact DITEvents@fcps.edu with any questions.
💭 FCPS Ombuds Office: Your Go-To Guide for the School System
Do you have a question or concern about Fairfax County Public Schools, but you don’t know where to find the answer? Dawn Clements wants you to know you can ask her! Dawn’s mission as the FCPS Ombuds is to make it easier to understand the school system and help build trust within the community. In honor of Ombuds Day, learn more about Dawn Clements and the Ombuds Office.
🚍 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. Learn more about the Student Pass and access the application, which can be returned to the front office.
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.
📸 School Picture Retakes
School Picture Make Up and Retake Day is on Thursday, October 30th! If parents would like their student to retake their photo, they must sign their student up by completing the following form by Sunday, October 26. Students will take their photos during lunch. Students who were absent during the original school picture days will automatically be added to the list. Students retaking their picture must bring their original photos with them to retake their photos.
Sign Up Here!
To order school pictures, please complete the following steps:
Step 1: Visit https://www.strawbridge.net/code-lookup/
Step 2: Type the SCHOOL NAME into the search box, select the STATE, then click SEARCH.
Step 3: Choose "Herndon Middle School" from the list provided.
Step 4: Select GET CODE in red next to the picture day you need the code for.
Step 5: Enter your student's LAST NAME and STUDENT ID NUMBER, then click SEARCH.
Step 6: Click on the STUDENT CODE to access your student's image gallery.
If you have any issues with the above steps, please contact Strawbridge at (866) 624-6229 or customerservice@strawbridge.net
🌿 MWEE Field Trip Reminder
The MWEE field trip is quickly approaching on November 10th, 13th, and 14th! This is a mandatory 7th-grade field experience that aligns with Science Standard 6.8.
Currently, we are still missing about 230 student forms. If you have not yet seen this form, please help your child check their backpack and complete all required sections. If the form has already been filled out, please remind your child to turn it in to their science teacher as soon as possible.
Students who do not attend the MWEE trip will be required to complete an alternative assignment. Please note that both a formative and summative grade are attached to this experience.
If you have any questions or need another copy of the form, please contact your child’s science teacher.
Thank you for your support in helping make this learning experience a success for all students!
✨ Fairfax County Youth Survey on Physical and Mental Well-Being
The Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors work together to administer the Fairfax County Youth Survey. The survey is given each fall to all students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. It provides information about a variety of topics related to our students that influence their physical and mental well-being, from sleep, physical activity, and nutritional habits to protective factors, substance use behaviors, and symptoms of depression.
Eight-grade students at Herndon Middle School will be taking the 2025 Fairfax County Youth Survey on Monday, November 10. Parents and caregivers can opt their student out of participating in the survey if they so choose.
Visit the Fairfax County Youth Survey webpage for more information and to review the opt-out forms.
Providing students with access to the necessary emotional, behavioral, mental, and physical health services to support their successful engagement in school is part of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
✅ Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. We will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, November 12.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For more information, visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
📝 Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.
Technical support for using ParentVUE or submitting the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type “Federal Impact Aid Survey” in the Issue Description section. You may also call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).
🔒 SIS ParentVUE End-of-Quarter Closure
The Gradebook in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed for the end of the first quarter from Friday, October 31 at 4:00 PM through Monday, November 10 at 6:00 AM.
Activate your ParentVUE account to easily access grade reports.
💯 Changes to Middle and High School Report Card Feedback
With the first quarter of the school year ending on Friday, October 31, families can expect student report cards to be available the week of November 10.
FCPS has revised the way teachers provide feedback on report cards, so you may notice some new comments. Specifically, comments have been revised to provide more detailed feedback for students and families.
Also, teachers will now include a Work Habits mark each quarter for each student. This scale provides feedback on students’ time management, organization, assignment completion, and overall effort in class. This is meant as feedback to families and will not appear on a student’s transcript.
View the Middle and High School Grading and Reporting webpage for more information.
🏗️ How Bond Projects Are Selected
Each year, the School Board and FCPS staff members work with the community to develop an updated, five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for school building and renovation projects. To develop the CIP, the school system assesses changes in expected enrollments, academic programs, and facility conditions to determine priorities for new construction, renovations, and other capital facility projects. The School Board then evaluates the affordability of these school needs against other countywide requirements to determine the bond proposal.
Because of this, while FCPS and the School Board generally try to follow the CIP, changes can be made year-over-year depending on the evolving needs of the school division.
The School Board is committed to protecting the community’s investment in schools and other buildings, which have a combined present value approaching $9 billion. Not only do these facilities wear out over time, but they also become outdated, both technologically and instructionally. FCPS renovates its schools to ensure that students, countywide, have effective and efficient learning environments to thrive and grow.
Read more about the FCPS 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a voting plan and vote on Tuesday, November 4.
🎼 Herndon Pyramid Concert
Parents, please join us on Monday, October 27 for our Herndon Pyramid Concert and please be sure to arrive at Herndon HS at 6:00 PM sharp! You may enter through door 8 and follow the signage or students directions towards the auditorium.
The concert will begin at 6:30 PM and will highlight all of our singers from elementary, middle, and high school, ending with a group song.
Students participating should wear a school shirt to represent their school!
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🤝 SCA Interest Meeting
Is your student interested in leadership and school spirit? An Student Council Association Interest Meeting will be held this Wednesday, November 23 from 2:30-3:15 PM in the cafeteria.
Students - come learn how you can get involved and be a leader!
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🗣️ 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.
☎️ 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.
✔️ 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.
🍴 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
21-31 | SEL Screener Window
31 | Quarter End, Early Dismissal
November
2 | Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back)
3 | School Planning, No School
3-7 | National School Psychology Week
4 | Election Day/Teacher Workday, No School
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Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back)
On Sunday, November 2, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time ends. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!
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National School Psychology Week
From November 3-7 we'll be celebrating the important work school psychologists do to help all students thrive.
A huge, heartfelt thank you to our incredible school psychologists, Kelley Wells and Erika King! Your dedication, empathy, and expertise create a supportive, welcoming environment where all of our students can thrive. We are so grateful for everything you do!
Learn more from the National Association of School Psychologists.
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Veterans Day
This Veterans Day, we pause to honor the incredible courage and sacrifice of our nation's veterans. Thank you to all who have served—your commitment to our freedom inspires us.
Please remember that school will be closed for students on Tuesday, November 11th, in observance of this important federal holiday. We look forward to seeing everyone back on Wednesday!
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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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