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Upcoming Events
December 5-6: NOVA Wrestling Classic
December 8: Religious/Cultural Observance: Bodhi Day
December 9: Winter Band Concert, 7pm
December 11: Winter Orchestra Concert, 7pm
December 12: Principal's Coffee, 7:30-8:30am, Career Center
December 16: Parents for Safe Teen Driving, 6pm
December 18: Academy MTAS Showcase, 7pm
December 22 - January 2: Winter Break, No School
January 5: School resumes, FHS Blue Day
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Liona the Lion arrived! 🎉
December 5, 2025
BRRRR! I hope you have all stayed warm this week as the weather has truly turned chilly! We were excited to return from break and buckle in for the next few FULL weeks of school as we head toward the winter holidays.
This week was packed with high-impact learning opportunities:
- Josten's "Better Than Good" Conference: We were honored to welcome over 800 students from the DMV region to FHS for the Josten's "Better Than Good" Conference. This dynamic event empowered student leaders to explore ways they can lead change in both small and big ways within their schools and communities.
- We were also excited to invite our middle school friends to tour some of our CTE classrooms and begin thinking about life in high school. This proactive engagement helps our future Lions explore career pathways early.
- AVID Program Focus: Our AVID program highlighted their tutorology component for AP and DE teachers this week. This session effectively demonstrated how dedicated student advocacy and inquiry-based peer support can have a big impact on deep learning and student success in advanced coursework.
Holiday Giving and FHS Spirit
To keep our spirits high during this busy time, we also began our 12 Days of "Holicraze" Countdown! This fun initiative includes exciting events during our lunch periods and spirited dress-up days for both faculty and students.
As we spread holiday cheer, please remember our ongoing commitment to supporting the FHS community:
- Food Drive: Our food drive is still underway! Please consider helping the school by donating canned foods to stock our on-site food pantry.
- Giving Tree: We have also begun decorating our Giving Tree. Please consider donating scarves, gloves, or hats that will be available, free of charge, to anyone in our community who needs to keep warm this winter.
Thank you for your generosity and stay warm this weekend! Go Lions! 🦁
Holicraze Spirit Days!
Included in this issue:
Student Spotlight
Calendar Reminders
- Bodhi Day, December 8
- Saturday School, December 6
- Principal's Coffee, Friday, December 12
- Next PTSA and ANG Meetings January 20
- Food Drive @ Boys Basketball Games, Dec. 12
Fairfax Lions Need to Know:
- Weather Closings
- Attendance Matters
- Food Assistance and Resource Guide
- Scoliosis Fact Sheet
- Grad Tracker in ParentVUE
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
- Second Late Bus Day Added
- Volunteer FCPS
- Yearbook Senior Ads
- Explore CTE and Academy/Specialty Programs
- FCPS Budget
- District News / In Case You Missed It
- Quick Links
AVID Tutorials
AVID Tutorials are key to student success in advanced coursework! The inquiry and advocacy is PAWSome 🦁
🗓️Calendar Reminders
Bodhi Day, December 8
Monday, December 8, is a religious and cultural observance day recognizing the Buddhist holiday of Bodhi. There is school on these days, however specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.
Next Saturday School is December 6
Saturday School is being held Dec. 6. No signup required, and snacks provided! Transportation is on your own. Students should enter the building at Door 1, check in at the Security Desk, and report to the Library.
Next Principal's Coffee December 12
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The next Principal's Coffee will be held on Friday, December 12, from 7:30-8:30am in the Career Center. Visitors must sign in at the kiosk in the main office. |
Next PTSA and ANG Meetings in January
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Please Note that the PTSA and ANG meetings for December are CANCELED. Please join us on January 20 in the Library for the next ones! |
Food Drive for Boys Basketball Game, Dec. 12
FHS continues with our Feed The Den food drive! If you bring 5 Cans to the Dec. 12th Boys Basketball game, you will get in for FREE!! Please join us in feeding the den, and filling our pantry.
Dec. 12th Boys Basketball Games: 5 Cans of Food = One FREE Entry.
Freshman @ 4:30; JV @ 5:45; Varsity @ 7:30. Thank you for your support!
Weather Closings
 ❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.
⛄ Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.
🙋Attendance Matters!
Every year, absences increase in the weeks before and after winter break. Give your child the gift of education and help build a habit of attendance. Visit the FCPS website for more attendance resources.
🍲Food Assistance and Resource Guide
Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. Learn how to help and discover the many resources available to support those who need food assistance or shelter. View the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
Scoliosis Fact Sheet
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. A spine affected by
scoliosis has a sideways curve, making it appear more like an "S" or a "C" than a straight line. Untreated scoliosis can lead to limited motion, back pain, deformity, and in extreme cases, impaired function of the heart and lungs. Early detection and treatment may prevent scoliosis from progressing.
Please see this Scoliosis Fact Sheet and learn about early detection. Visit the Scoliosis page on the FCPS website or www.srs.org for more information.
🎓 Grad Tracker
Graduation Status: New Feature in ParentVUE and StudentVUE
A new graduation status section is now available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE. The Graduation Status is a tool that helps parents and students monitor and track their progress in meeting graduation requirements. This feature includes progress towards the Standard or Advanced Studies diploma for high school students and middle school students who have enrolled in one or more high school courses. This new graduation status section is available in addition to the course history and unofficial transcript options in ParentVUE and StudentVUE.
To view the graduation status section, please take the following steps:
- Login to your SIS ParentVUE Account
- Go to “Course History” for your middle or high school student
- Go to “Graduation Status” and toggle “on”
For questions about graduation requirements, please contact your school counselor. Additional information about ParentVue is available on the following website: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/technology/student-information-system-sis-fcps/sis-parent-account-overview.
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
🚌 Second Late Bus Day Added!
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A second late bus day was added to the FHS schedule, so our late bus days are now Wednesdays AND Thursdays. Students must be signed in with a teacher, coach or club and receive a bus pass from them in order to ride the late bus. |
Volunteer FCPS
Volunteer FCPS Helps Community Members Connect With Schools
Volunteer FCPS allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities across the division. It helps ensure a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must:
- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using our visitor kiosk.
Individuals can complete a volunteer orientation on the Volunteer FCPS website. View Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the volunteer levels.
Recent Updates to Volunteer Opportunity Levels
Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers. Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
As part of the application, all volunteers sign a statement confirming they have not been convicted of violent crimes, crimes against children, or other serious misconduct.
Field trip chaperone opportunities are now classified as Level 2 (not requiring a comprehensive background check).
🎓📖 Yearbook Senior Ads
Hello Fairfax Families!
We know you have a whole collection of baby pictures of your Senior just waiting for their senior ad. Here's your chance! Design and create a senior ad to help them celebrate this milestone in their 2026 Fairfax High School Yearbook. A senior ad is a wonderful way to commemorate not only your child’s time at high school, but to celebrate the young adult they’ve become—the person you helped to shape. There are several sizes available from 1/8 of a page to a full page dedicated entirely to your student. And remember, yearbooks are forever, so be sure to grab yours before room in our book runs out.
CLICK HERE to see the options and get started. The deadline to purchase an ad is December 15, 2025.
Explore CTE and Academy/Specialty Programs
As academic advising season approaches, families are encouraged to explore the many pathways available for rising and current high school students.
Learn more about FCPS academies, specialized programs, and high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses at the Pathway Fair on Wednesday, December 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., in the cafeteria at Robinson Secondary School.
FCPS central office leaders and academy counselors will share insights about CTE programs, pathways, and opportunities across the school division.
Find additional information, including dates for academy open houses. Contact Bonnie Wannett with questions
FCPS’ Budget Supports the Success of the Local Economy
When our schools have the resources they need, all of Fairfax County succeeds!
FCPS is one of Fairfax County’s largest employers, and every paycheck we issue helps support local businesses, services, and housing markets. FCPS’ annual operating budget flows through our local economy — supporting jobs, purchasing goods and services, and contributing to regional stability.
Learn more about the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and how FCPS supports the Fairfax County economy.
Fairfax County Joint Budget Committee Meeting
The School Board met with the Board of Supervisors on December 2 to discuss the budget forecast. View the meeting materials and learn more about FCPS' FY27 budget.
District News - In Case You Missed It
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- 💻 Technology Tips
- 🍲 Food Assistance
- 📚 Winter Reading Challenge
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Quick Links
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