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Herndon's Success Spotlight
Celebrating Herndon's Outstanding Employees
Herndon proudly recognized several exceptional employees for their dedication and service. The honorees include James Brady, a Social Studies Teacher, who was named the Outstanding New Teacher. Thilagarvathy Balan, an ESOL Teacher, received the distinction of Outstanding Teacher. For staff in specialized roles, Karl Gussow, the Assessment Coach, was honored as the Outstanding School-Based Professional. Finally, the administrative staff was recognized, with Christina Oh, Assistant Principal, being named the Outstanding Leader. These employees represent the high quality of education and support provided at Herndon.
 
December 04-19: ❄️ 12 Days of Cheer
December 14 - 22: Religious and Cultural Observance | Chanukah (begins sundown 12/14-sundown 12/22)
December 15: 🍭 Candy Cane Delivery to 4th Period
December 16: 🎩 Holiday Headwear
December 16: 🎤 Choir *with the Latin Dance Club, 7:00 pm, Auditorium
December 17: 🤍 Winter Wonderland (Wear White)
December 18: 🧥 Ugly Sweater Day
December 19: 🧑🎄 Night Before Christmas/PJ Day
December 19: Orchestra Spirit Day, 6:00 am - 10:00 pm, Chick-fil-A North Point Village
December 22 - January 02: Holidays | Winter Break
January 08: Curriculum Night, 6:30 pm, Auditorium & Main Street
Herndon HS Calendar of Events
❄️ 12 Days of Cheer
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Monday, December 15th: 🍭 Candy Cane Delivery to 4th Period
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Tuesday, December 16th: 🎩 Holiday Headwear
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Wednesday, December 17th: 🤍 Winter Wonderland (Wear White)
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Thursday, December 18th: 🧥 Ugly Sweater Day
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Friday, December 19th: 🧑🎄 Night Before Christmas/PJ Day
Our students have been working very hard preparing their winter concert music and are delighted to invite you to their concerts this holiday season! Join us in the HHS auditorium for this festive performance. All are welcome!
Tuesday, December 16th at 7:00 pm: 🎤 Choir *with the Latin Dance Club
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1494 North Point Village Center, Reston, VA 20194
Friday, December 19, 2025 • 6:00 am - 10:00 pm
Come support HHS Orchestra by placing a mobile pickup, dine-in, Drive-Thru, or curbside order. When ordering in the store or Drive-Thru, let the team member know you are here for the Spirit Event. You can also support through the Chickfil-A® App when completing the order using the CODE ORCHESTRA (all caps). You get to enjoy a great meal or snack and HHS Orchestra will receive a donation of 25% of today's sales that are marked Spirit Event in our system. A flyer is available here.
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Winter Break
Winter Break (Student Holiday)As a reminder, winter break will be held Monday, December 22, to Friday, January 2. 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 ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year.
Classes resume on Monday, January 5, 2026. See the complete school year calendar.
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The events that support academic advising and course selection aim to guide students in aligning their educational choices with personal goals, ensuring they meet graduation requirements, understand division policies, and explore career paths through personalized guidance, resource sharing, and skill-building for informed decision-making. They clarify the maze of institutional requirements, connecting students with resources and fostering ownership of their academic journey for better retention and success.
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Tuesday, January 6 and Wednesday, January 7: Days of Academic Focus, School-Wide
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Thursday, January 8: Electives Fair, 4th Period
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Thursday, January 8: Curriculum Night, 6:30 pm
Details on each event are available on the Herndon HS website.
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Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Activities will take place in the Auditorium and on Main Street. Families and students will have the opportunity to:
- Meet with Herndon faculty members.
- Network with other parents/guardians and students.
- Learn important details about Herndon’s course offerings for the 2026-27 school year.
- Hear the Advanced Academics presentation at 6:30 pm in the Auditorium.
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Annual English proficiency test (WIDA ACCESS) for Multilingual Learners (MLs) monitors progress per ESSA. It assesses Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing to determine proficiency (level 6 needed for exit) and placement. Testing: Feb 10–11, 2026. Avoid appointments. Contact: ksgussow@fcps.edu or rccarag@fcps.edu. Additional details are available on the Herndon website.
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🎓 Graduation Status: New Feature in ParentVUE and StudentVUE
A new Graduation Status tool is available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE. The tool helps parents and students monitor and track their progress in meeting graduation requirements.
Graduation Status includes progress toward 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 feature is available in addition to the course history and unofficial transcript options in ParentVUE and StudentVUE.
To view the Graduation Status section, which is only available for students who have enrolled in high school courses, please take the following steps:
- Login to your SIS ParentVUE/StudentVUE account.
- Go to “Course History.”
- Go to “Graduation Status” and toggle “on.”
For questions about graduation requirements, please contact your child’s school counselor. Learn more about ParentVUE.
Shape Your Story: Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
Beginning in January 2026, students will meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for next 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 as students strive for academic and personal success. Families may contact their student’s school counselor with questions.
Graduation Requirements and Planning
FCPS’ Graduation Requirements and Course Planning page provides information that students and families can preview to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond. For additional support in tracking these requirements, families can now log into ParentVUE to monitor their student's progress toward graduation.
Reviewing the Program of Studies may also be helpful. Be sure to refer to our course catalog and course selection information.
Reporting Student Absences
We are committed to partnering with families to promote positive attendance habits. Whenever your child is unable to attend school, please let us know. Reporting absences helps our staff support students and connect them with resources they may need.
Full-day absences can be reported in SIS ParentVUE. Parents can also report absences by [add any other method of reporting absences at your school].
Parents may monitor their child’s attendance records in SIS ParentVUE.
Attendance Codes in SIS ParentVUE Explained
Attendance codes in SIS ParentVUE are assigned by school staff to better identify the reasons behind student absences. This allows us 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 helpful recommendations on when to keep your child home.
For instance, a child should attend school if they have cold symptoms, as long as they are feeling like they can participate in school activities. However, if they have severe, uncontrolled, or rapid coughing; wheezing; or difficulty breathing, definitely keep them home and contact your health care provider.
Support Our Schools: 25 for 2025 Giving Challenge
Join Educate Fairfax’s 25 for 2025 Giving Challenge and help ensure every FCPS student has the tools, support, and inspiration to succeed. Every gift, whether you can give $25 or $2,500, helps students learn while supporting the teachers and staff who make a lasting difference.
Educate Fairfax is the nonprofit education foundation that supports FCPS by providing resources, recognizing outstanding educators, and strengthening connections between schools and the community. Educate Fairfax invests directly in classrooms and programs. Last year, they contributed $1.27 million back into our schools.
The foundation supplied more than 5,000 school supply kits to more than 61 schools, centers, shelters, and Welcome Centers. Its Food for All Campaign packed more than 1,000 snack packs and helped feed more than 350 families over Thanksgiving. Read the Educate Fairfax Annual Report to learn more about their impact.
Together, we can support and encourage all learners and educators and strengthen the future of our schools. Donate to Educate Fairfax today.
No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for All 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 the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.
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 page 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!
We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during the upcoming winter break and on snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
Preparing for Tough Conversations With Teens
Are you planning on spending more time with your teen over 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 overdose.
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.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS Showcases Success
- Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings
- Winter Resources for Families
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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