🎉 FCPS Showcases Success, ❄️ Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings, ⛄ Winter Resources for Families

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 12/10/2025 07:05 PM EST
students smiling as they sit on the carpet


Second grade students at Stratford Landing Elementary School enjoy carpet time.

Showcasing Success in Virginia’s School Performance and Support Framework

Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to share that the majority of FCPS schools have been rated “distinguished” or “on track” in the first year of Virginia’s new School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF). All FCPS schools remain fully accredited, even as the state shifts to this new model, which offers less flexibility for measuring student growth.

These strong results reflect the dedication of our excellent staff, the hard work of our students, and the ongoing support of our families, all of whom contribute to the success of our school communities.

Read the news release on our schools’ performance.

Virginia’s Measures of Academic Performance and Success

In the Academic Matters portion of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid discussed the impacts of the Standards of Learning (SOL) cut score and proposed school performance revisions. 

In November, the Virginia Board of Education decided that SOL cut score changes would begin in the 2026-27 school year (no changes for 2025-26) and phase in over four years, with an increased bar to pass the SOLs each year. 

Using spring 2025 SOL results as a baseline, the new standards would significantly lower pass rates. For example, math pass­ rate estimates could drop from 78% under current standards to 52% under full implementation; reading could drop from 79% to 51%.

Read Dr. Reid’s Weekly Reflections for more information.

🏆 Celebrating FCPS' Fall 2025 VHSL Sports Champions

sports team smile for a photo


Congratulations to all the FCPS student-athletes who participated in the 2025 fall sports season. This year, four teams and one individual won the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 6 championship in their respective sports, and four teams and one individual were the state runners-up. Read about the sports champions.

❄️ Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings

Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE to make sure you receive notifications of school delays/closings. Emails and text messages are sent to parents/caregivers based on the email addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform. 

If your information is correct but you are not receiving updates from FCPS, contact the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Watch a video to see how FCPS makes weather delays/closing decisions. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

⛄ Winter Resources for Families

A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or in the event of weather-related school closures.

✈️ Community Partnerships Prepare Students for the Future

students smile


In her latest Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid shared details on a visit to West Potomac Academy. While there, she attended the launch of an expanded partnership with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). 

MWAA is significantly enhancing work-based learning experiences, offering students deeper insights into high-demand careers, hands-on engagement, and clear pathways that connect classroom learning to meaningful futures.

Read more about the event and partnership in Weekly Reflections. 

🎤 Share Your Thoughts With Superintendent Reid

The final Community Conversation for 2025 will take place on Thursday, December 11, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Bull Run Elementary School. We invite you to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask questions. 

Click on the date above to register. Child care and interpretation services will be provided.

Shape Your Story: Course Selection for Middle and High School Students

Beginning in January 2026, middle and high school students will meet with their school counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to actively participate in this important process. 

As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:

  • Current academic strengths and habits.
  • Graduation requirements (high school students).
  • Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
  • Personal well-being.
  • Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.

🎓 Graduation Requirements and Planning

The Graduation Requirements page provides information that students and families can preview to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond.  

New this year, families can log into ParentVUE to monitor their student's progress toward graduation and help with tracking graduation requirements.

Reviewing the Program of Studies may also be helpful. Refer to your school’s website for your school-specific course catalog and course selection information. Look for the icon labeled “Choosing Courses for Next School Year 2026-27.”

Special Education Family Conference: Call for Presenters

The 2026 Special Education Family Conference — Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Marshall High School. 

The event features a keynote address from internationally renowned educator and advocate Dr. Shelley Moore, a resource fair, and breakout sessions. 

Community partners are invited to facilitate breakout sessions on topics of interest to FCPS families. Presenters should plan to present during both one-hour sessions at 1:20 and 2:25 p.m. 

Complete the 2026 Special Education Family Conference Presentation Proposal Form by Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The conference presentation review committee will send confirmation of accepted proposals to the email provided in the proposal form. Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for updates and more details.

🐞 Delivering the Tools to Educate Our Future

youtube video


The topic of Dr. Reid’s Strategic Plan Update at last week’s School Board meeting was Pillar D: Culture of Equity, Excellence, and Accountability. Specifically, she talked about FCPS’ warehouse operations. 

The FCPS warehouse employs 50 staff and:

  • Serves more than 200 schools and offices. 
  • Picks up and delivers approximately 500 items per week and 24,000 per year. 
  • Operates 13 distribution trucks and nine Pony mail trucks. 

As part of her presentation, she shared this video that explores how science kits reach students in schools. The warehouse staff play a critical role in making sure each and every FCPS student has access to the resources they need to learn and grow at school.

🧠 How Electronics, Sleep, and Brain Health Are Linked

student on an ipad


During childhood and adolescence, the brain undergoes rapid growth and development. Learning and practicing healthy brain habits during this time provides long-term benefits. This is because children are building the cognitive and social-emotional skills that support learning, promote future mental health, and prepare them to take on adult roles in society.

Safe environments, nurturing relationships, adequate sleep, a healthy diet, and regular exercise all factor into promoting a healthy brain. Read the Healthy Minds blog for tips on helping promote healthy brain development.

Preparing for Tough Conversations With Teens

Are you planning on spending more time with your teen during winter break? Or are they planning to spend time away from you with friends? Now may be a good time to talk to them about fentanyl and overdoses. 

Discussing tough topics like fentanyl and other drugs can feel challenging — no matter how close you are with your child. Explain to your teen that it’s important to learn about fentanyl so they know what to do if a friend overdoses.

Prepare in advance with the tips below:

  • Set the stage. Choose a casual environment that’s free from distractions. Talk while driving the car, taking a walk, or doing chores together. 
  • Make it a two-way discussion. Ask open-ended questions. 
  • Stay patient and reserve judgment. 
  • Check in with your child early and often. 

Learn how to start an Unskippable conversation and find resources to share with your teen on how to spot an overdose and how to respond.

💻 Virtual Therapy Available for High School Students

Is your student experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, you may refer your child for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit FCPS’ Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.

📖 “Meet the Author”: Live on Channel 21 and YouTube

meet the author

Tune in to the Fairfax Network on Friday, December 12, at 1 p.m., for “Meet the Author” with Gabriella Aldeman, author of the bilingual children’s book “Squawk of Spanish.” 

In the book, Max learns to communicate with his Spanish-speaking grandmother, and learns how language can bring families closer together.

Visit the Meet the Author webpage to view previous episodes of the show.

🏆 13 Consecutive State Titles in Science Olympiad

student looks at their shoolwork


Three times a week at Longfellow Middle School, 30 students are huddled in a few classrooms after school, drilling science facts and building hovercraft, helicopters, and gravity-powered vehicles alike. Since 2002, Longfellow’s Science Olympiad team has won the state championship 19 times and finished as high as fifth place nationally. Read more about their Science Olympiad team.

Reporting Student Absences

By reporting absences, families are partnering with school staff so that everyone can make sure students are supported and have access to resources. Full-day absences can be reported in ParentVUE. Parents can also report absences by calling the school attendance line or emailing the school-designated attendance address. School personnel will call parents or guardians if students are absent and the school has not been notified in advance.

Parents can monitor their child’s attendance records in ParentVUE.

Note: Attendance codes in ParentVUE are assigned by school staff so that they can better identify the reasons behind student absences. This allows schools to respond thoughtfully and provide appropriate support. Visit the FCPS Attendance Policy webpage to learn more about the codes.   

When Your Child Is Sick

It is also important to keep your child home when they are sick. The Can My Child Go to School? webpage provides recommendations on when to keep your child home. 

For instance, as long as they are feeling like they can participate in school activities, a child should attend school if they have cold symptoms. However, if they have severe, uncontrolled, or rapid coughing; wheezing; or difficulty breathing, definitely keep them home and contact your health care provider.

🏫 New Western High School Naming Update

We are halfway through the process of naming FCPS’ new high school in the western part of Fairfax County. 

During a one-month public comment period focusing on families in the five western pyramids (Centreville, Chantilly, Oakton, South Lakes, and Westfield), two community meetings and a public hearing were held. A survey for parents/caregivers, staff, and students in 7th through 12th grades was also used to get name suggestions for the school.

FCPS staff compiled, reviewed, and submitted more than 6,000 suggestions to the School Board and Superintendent Reid. After reviewing those suggestions, Dr. Reid shared her naming recommendations with the board. She will review additional feedback from a second round of engagement activities focusing on the western Fairfax community before making final recommendations to the School Board. 

The board will vote on a name on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Learn more about the new western high school.

📆 Calendar Reminders: Early Release Wednesday, Winter Break

⏰ Early Release Wednesday

On Wednesday, December 17, elementary schools in the following pyramids will release three hours early:

  • Centreville, Chantilly, Fairfax, Hayfield, Justice, Lewis, Mount Vernon, Oakton, Robinson, South County, Westfield, and West Potomac.

Find out more about limited early release Wednesdays.

❄️ Winter Break 

Winter break is Monday, December 22, 2025, to Friday, January 2, 2026.

To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks before the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately after the break.

Classes resume on Monday, January 5, 2026. See the complete school year calendar.

🗓️ Plan Ahead: Future School Year Calendars Are Available

Visit the calendar webpage for printable calendars of the current school year through 2027-28, lists of key dates, or to subscribe to calendars.

🎓 Save the Date for 2026 Graduation!

The dates, times, and locations for FCPS graduation ceremonies are available.

🎁 Last-Minute Gifts That Have Lifelong Value!

Are you still looking for that perfect gift that shows how much you care? Give experience, knowledge, and skills that have value long after the holidays are over with the Gift of Learning through FCPS Adult and Community Education (ACE)!

Some of the best gifts are an experience, rather than a material object: 

Wrap up your holiday shopping now on ACE's website or call 703-658-1201. Purchase a specific class or a gift card. And don’t forget to give yourself the gift of learning too!

FCPS Policies, Regulations, and Notices Available Online

Virginia’s Standards of Quality require all school divisions to notify the public annually of the availability of the school system’s policies. A continuous review process ensures ongoing examination and revision of each policy, regulation, and notice as needed. View Fairfax County Public Schools policies. 

Any citizen who requests a hard copy of a directive has a right to receive it and should be provided the most current version printed from the website. The School Board office, at Gatehouse Administration Center, maintains the historical records of all directives.

Please call 571-423-1075 for more information.

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