Fifth grade students work in the courtyard at Waynewood Elementary School.
🎉 2025 School Bond Referendum Passes!
Thank you, Fairfax citizens, for supporting the 2025 Bond Referendum. Roughly 7 out of 10 of those voting in the election yesterday supported the $460 million bond referendum.
This continues a long history of supporting FCPS through critical investments championed by the community. The impact of this bond referendum will be felt by students and the Fairfax County community for decades to come. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s message to the community.
Stay engaged as we build our future. Keep up to date on construction and capital improvements across FCPS by visiting our Capital Improvement Project webpage.
⚠️ Understanding the State Accountability and Standards of Learning (SOL) Changes
The Virginia Board of Education and the General Assembly are planning significant changes to SOL assessments. These changes will have a significant and potentially detrimental impact on schools and students.
FCPS is a model of excellence: home to 7 of Virginia’s top 10 high schools and 262 National Merit Semifinalists this year. But with these upcoming changes, many schools and students across the state could be unfairly labeled as failing.
Learn more about these changes by the state of Virginia. Watch Dr. Reid's message about the changes.
Community members can provide feedback on these changes through tomorrow, Thursday, November 6. The Virginia Board of Education will be taking action on the plan to implement the changes on November 13.
FCPS Showcases Student Talent and Innovation at 2025 State of Our Schools Event
Staff, students, and community leaders came together for this year’s Fairfax County Public Schools State of Our Schools event, celebrating student achievement, community partnerships, and the bright future of public education in Fairfax County. Read about the celebratory event.
Sharing Our Success From the 2024-25 School Year
Did you know that FCPS average SAT scores are higher than both the state and global average, more than 16,000 students earned industry credentials, and the number of fifth graders taking advanced math increased by more than 10% last year? Check out other amazing facts, figures, and highlights from the 2024-25 school year.
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🏃 On the Run With Dr. Reid
Dr. Reid began her weekend last week at a cross country meet at Herndon Middle School. Read more about this event and others in Dr. Reid’s Weekly Reflections.
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Apply Anytime for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families are encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.
If your income changes — for example, due to a furlough, layoff, or job loss — you may become newly eligible. Once approved, your benefits stay active for the rest of the school year and for the first 30 days of the next school year.
Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals or attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school receive free breakfast and lunch every school day. It’s a great way to make your food budget go further and save time from packing meals. Learn more about FCPS Food and Nutrition.
Impact of Federal Shutdown on Local Community
Fairfax County is home to around 80,000 federal employees and thousands of federal contractors. Its Federal Workforce Resource Hub is intended to help navigate current and future issues for residents, government employees, active military/veterans, contractors, nonprofits, and businesses who may be affected by actions, changes, or disruptions to federal services or employment.
Find more community resources available to families.
💯 Changes to Middle and High School Report Card Feedback
Families can expect first quarter report cards to be available next week. FCPS has revised the way teachers provide feedback on report cards, so you may notice some new comments when viewing your child’s report card. Comments have been revised to provide more detailed feedback.
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. It is meant to serve as feedback to families and will not appear on a student’s transcript. View the Middle and High School Grading and Reporting page for more information.
PSAT/SAT School Day Scores Available
Students who participated in the School Day SAT/PSAT on October 8 are now able to access scores via the College Board BigFuture School App or their College Board accounts. Students who participated in a make-up test will have access to scores on Thursday, November 6. Video tutorials for accessing and understanding PSAT and SAT scores are available on the College Board website.
National Merit Scholarship Information
Eleventh grade students who participated in the PSAT may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program and can find additional information on the National Merit Scholarship Corporation website. Families can reach out to their student’s school PSAT coordinator if they have questions regarding PSAT score reporting or the National Merit Scholarship Program.
🍂 November Is National Family Engagement Month
Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers.
The FCPS Family Academy supports the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.
☕ FCPS Family Café Series: Support Your Child’s Growth and Learning
The FCPS Family Academy announces the launch of a monthly series called the FCPS Family Café. These fun and helpful sessions are designed to keep families informed and involved in their child’s education. At the Family Café, parents are key partners in helping children succeed. Click on the topic below to register to attend.
✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
Tutoring Resources for Families
Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. Families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant as a resource for families.
FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. 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.
🩹 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. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year.
Immunization clinics will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Willow Oaks Administrative Center on:
A clinic will also take place at Frost Middle School on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Participation is voluntary. Additional Immunization Resources are available. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment for their student.
🎭 TheatreMania Brings FCPS Middle School Students Together
Key Middle School was vibrating with energy last month, as more than 100 middle school students from across FCPS gathered for TheatreMania 2025 — a day-long celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community in the performing arts.
Organized by FCPS middle school Theatre Arts directors, TheatreMania gave sixth, seventh, and eighth graders the opportunity to explore the many sides of theatre — from stage combat and makeup design to directing and choreography to puppetry and Shakespeare. Students attended four 50-minute workshops led by FCPS theatre teachers and professional teaching artists from the local arts community. Read more about the workshop.
Helping Children Find Their Path
As parents, one of our greatest hopes is to see our children grow into confident, capable individuals who know who they are and where they’re going. That’s why National School Psychology Week (celebrated this week) is a meaningful time to recognize the professionals who help our children navigate the many paths of growing up.
Read more about how to help your child find their path. Learn about resources to promote student safety and wellness.
🧡 Celebrating FCPS School Psychologists
School psychologists play a vital role in helping students discover and follow their unique paths — academically, socially, and emotionally. These highly trained professionals work closely with teachers, parents, and school staff to ensure students not only succeed in the classroom but also develop the tools they need to manage challenges and grow with resilience.
At FCPS, this important work is guided by the steady leadership of Donna Desaulniers, senior manager of School Psychology Services, who oversees more than 200 school psychologists divisionwide. Donna’s leadership exemplifies the spirit of Finding Your Path by helping others chart purposeful routes toward success and wellness. Read more about how Donna has made a difference at FCPS and likely at your child’s school.
💻 Hazel Health: Virtual Therapy for High School Students
Teletherapy services are available for all FCPS high school students at no cost. Sessions can be scheduled Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hazel Health’s highly qualified therapists specialize in working with teens. Learn more on FCPS’ teletherapy webpage.
✨Student access to the necessary emotional, behavioral, and mental health services to support their successful engagement in school is part of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update
October Community Boundary Review meetings are complete. Thank you to all who participated! If you missed your pyramid’s meeting, you may view the slides at your convenience.
You may continue to explore and visualize how the latest draft boundary map, Scenario 4, affects boundaries using our Boundary Explorer Tool. As a reminder, Scenario 4 is currently the only option under consideration. Scenario 3 is included in the Boundary Explorer Tool only as a point of reference and comparison, similar to the map that shows current school boundaries.
Comments and feedback are welcome in the Boundary Explorer Tool through Friday, November 14. This feedback will then be shared with the Superintendent's Boundary Review Advisory Committee as they prepare a recommendation for the superintendent.
Each high school pyramid is represented on the advisory committee. You can also reach out to your pyramid representative to share feedback or ask questions. Visit the FCPS Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage.
School Board Work Session
The School Board will discuss the comprehensive boundary review at a work session on Wednesday, November 12, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Find out how to watch School Board Meetings.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders
Veterans Day
Tuesday, November 11, is a holiday for Veterans Day. All schools and FCPS offices are closed.
See the complete school year calendar.
⏰ Early Release Wednesday
On Wednesday, November 12, elementary schools in the following pyramids will release three hours early:
- Annandale, Edison, Falls Church, Herndon, Lake Braddock, Langley, Madison, Marshall, McLean, South Lakes, West Springfield, and Woodson.
Find out more about limited early release Wednesdays.
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