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Quarter End, Early Release, Student Holidays

Friday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students.

Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 3, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 4, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.

Please Nominate a Key Center Employee for an Outstanding Employee Award!

Nominations are now open!  We need family support to recognize the amazing work of Key Center staff.  

To submit a nomination for a Key Center School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories, please complete the nomination through Google link for each category found below. You may nominate one or more employees at Key Center (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.  **The deadline to submit a nomination is November 5, 2025**

Outstanding Teacher 

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category. Outstanding Teacher nomination form.

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category.  Outstanding New Teacher nomination form

Outstanding Principal

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district). Outstanding Principal nomination form

Outstanding Leader 

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal):

Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services. Outstanding Leader nomination form

Outstanding Professional Employee 

Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership

Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school.  Outstanding Professional Employee nomination form

Outstanding Operational Employee

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee

Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons.  Outstanding Operational Employee nomination form 

If you have any questions about the process or what category your exceptional employee is in, we are happy to help you. Contact Ann, Emily or Helly Ahmadyar at hahmadyar@fcps.edu .

Impact Aid: 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).

Fairfax County Youth Survey

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. 

The 2025 Fairfax County Youth Survey will be taken by students between Monday, November 10, and Friday, November 21. There is an adapted survey with simplified response options for our students. Yet, the vocabulary of the survey questions remains complex.  Parents and caregivers have the option of opting their student out of participating in the survey.  Please contact your student’s teacher or lead teacher Elizabeth Ganley (ebganley@fcps.edu) to request an opt-out or request additional information. 

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.

Fall Spirit Week October 27 - 31

World Occupational Therapy Appreciation Day

On World Occupational Therapy Appreciation Day, we want to express our gratitude and appreciation for the dedicated and compassionate Occupational Therapists (OTs) who make a significant difference in the lives of our students and their families.   Occupational therapy is a profession that focuses upon enabling people to live life to its fullest, regardless of their age, abilities.  World Occupational Therapy Appreciation Day is a time to recognize and honor OTs for their compassion, empathy, and the life-changing work they do every day.  We appreciate our amazing OTs, Kristen Miller and Vivian Swingle, for their dedication to Key Center students. Your work is invaluable, and you truly make our school a better place.

National Family Engagement Month

This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success. 

FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.

Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.

If you have questions or would like more information, reach out to connect with our family liaison, Wafika Albani at wmalbani@fcps.edu.

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. 

 ABA Family Training: Prioritizing Skills to Teach at Home 

Topics covered will include:

▪ How do I select a behavior to teach?
▪ What are the “learning to learn” behaviors?
▪ How are behaviors taught and learned?

When: Wednesday, November 5
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am or 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Join using this meeting link:  https://meet.google.com/vio-pmnq-dzo

Bond Referendum: 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.

October Community Boundary Review Meetings

FCPS’ October community boundary review meetings will begin on Monday, October 13. Each of the 12 meetings will focus on two pyramids. Our area will be covered at the meeting on Friday, October 24, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Lewis High School, (Edison and Lewis Pyramids) in person or virtual. Register by clicking “in person” or “virtual,” based on how you would like to participate.

If you are unable to attend the meeting for our pyramid, you are welcome to attend any meeting that is convenient. View the full list of October boundary meetings. 

Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information.

• Wednesday, October 29, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at McLean High School, (Madison and McLean Pyramids) in person or virtual
• Thursday, October 30, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Chantilly High School, (Westfield and Chantilly Pyramids) in person or virtual

Resources

The Virginia Department of Social Services has stated that benefits will lapse starting November 1 if the federal government shutdown is not resolved by October 28. This may cause significant challenges for many of the SNAP households. Fairfax County is committed to supporting our community through these uncertain times. We have heard that Virginia will offer support for families receiving SNAP and who are at risk for losing this resource, so families may not be impacted by the nationwide reduction of this benefit. Check out the link below for more information.  Additional resources are available if you need food or other financial assistance:

• Fairfax County Information on food/childcare assistance, employment resources, library services, etc.

• SNAP Updates | Family Services 
• Basic Needs Assistance (Coordinated Services Planning) call for assistance with any difficulties - including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, healthcare and other needs. 
• CSP Call Center: 703-222-0880 (M-F, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
• Neighborhood & Community Services Human Services Resources Guide (HSRG) is a searchable database that contains information on thousands of nonprofit and government services available to Fairfax County residents. Anyone with an Internet connection has 24/7 access to the HSRG, including from mobile devices.The primary focus of the database is on human services programs for those in need and the bulk of the information is about programs, including detailed service descriptions, eligibility, locations (maps and directions), and contact information.
• Emergency Food Access Map- This food access resource connects community members to the locations of food distributions throughout Fairfax County. The results can be filtered by several variables including zip code, items needed, and language spoken. Metro routes are also displayed to help plan your trip. Please make sure to call or email the food provider listed on the map to confirm they are open. Flyers English and Spanish
• Department of Family Services – Get energy and heating assistance during cold weather through the energy assistance programs.

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. 

Key Center PTA

Not yet a member of our PTA?  We would love to have you join!  You can also support Key Center by volunteering with our PTA or making a donation through our Educate Fairfax site.

Key Center PTA Membership
Key Center PTA Volunteer Opportunities
Key Center PTA donations

Upcoming Dates

6404 Franconia Road Springfield, VA 22150  | Main Office: 703-313-4000
Attendance: 703-313-4000 | Web | Facebook