2025-26 FCPS School Calendar

• January 19: Holiday | Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday
• January 19: Religious and Cultural Observance | Orthodox Epiphany
• January 28: End of 2nd Quarter - 2-hr Early Release
• January 29: Student Holiday (Staff Development Day for Staff)
• January 30: Student Holiday (Teacher Workday for Staff)

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Message from Principal Vereb 

Reflections from the Hive: A Week of Progress and Partnership

It has been an incredibly productive week for our busy Bees! From refining our instructional strategies to strengthening the bonds with our community and planning for our future, our staff and students have been moving full speed ahead. Here is a look at the highlights from this week.

Deep Dives into Learning: Stinger Time

This week, our leadership team—including our administration and literacy coach—conducted focused walkthroughs of Stinger Time across all grade levels.

• The Focus: We observed our dedicated remediation and extension blocks in action.

• The Goal: By analyzing how we tailor instruction during this time, we ensure that every student receives the exact support or challenge they need to thrive. Seeing our students engage in targeted, small-group learning is a testament to the hard work of our educators.

Planning for the Future

Our hive is always growing and evolving, and this week featured two major milestones for our students and our facility:

• Rising 7th Grade Course Selection: We were thrilled to host our current 6th graders and their families for Course Selection Night. It is an exciting (and slightly bittersweet!) time as we help our oldest Bees prepare for their transition to middle school. Special thanks to Mrs. Simpkins-Church (Herndon MS DSS), Mrs. Baxter (AP), and Ms. Bryant (Counselor) for joining me on Wednesday evening.

• Modernization Update: I met with Carey Architecture and Shockey Construction for our monthly progress meeting. We are officially preparing for our next phase of growth; our specialists will begin moving into the new trailers at the end of the month to make way for our campus improvements.

Supporting Every Learner

In preparation for the upcoming WIDA testing in a few short weeks, our team has been working hand-in-hand with the ESOL Department and Mr. Christian Lanzaro. We are committed to ensuring our multilingual learners have the tools, environment, and support they need to demonstrate their incredible growth in English language proficiency.

Strengthening Community Roots

Our community partnerships remain the backbone of Herndon Elementary. Last Sunday, Mrs. Holliday (Assistant Principal), Ms. Bryant (Counselor), and I had the pleasure of visiting Trinity Presbyterian Church.

It was a wonderful opportunity to:

• Renew our formal partnership for the coming year.

• Provide a high-level update on the modernization of our school building.

• Express our gratitude for their unwavering support of our students and staff.

I am incredibly proud of the balance we struck this week—maintaining a sharp focus on academic excellence while meticulously planning for the future of our school and our students.

With Our Bees in Mind,

Dr. Monika Vereb

Herndon Elementary Principal

📸Snapshots from Principal Vereb

2026 Yearbooks

2026 Yearbooks are now available for preorder at $15 each. You may purchase online at www.myschoolbucks.com. Alternatively, please contact Mrs. Perez at 703-326-3101.

When Should Your Child Stay Home?

Help your student succeed in school by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. Visit the FCPS website for helpful insights regarding absences and how to work with your child and our school to minimize impacts on learning.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to let us know so we can provide assistance, if needed.

Healthy Habits to Reduce the Spread of Flu and Other Germs

Fairfax County is seeing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. Visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings.

Consider these tips from the Fairfax County Health Department to help reduce the spread of flu and other germs.

Attendance Is Important Every Day!

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.

Budget

Reid Reflects: State Standards and the FCPS Budget Story

In her latest Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid thanked every member of our community for supporting FCPS as it remains fully accredited. Referencing a news release on accreditation, Dr. Reid noted how FCPS needs funding to support and maintain this excellence.

As we shared last week, [School Name] was recognized as being [Distinguished/On Track/etc.]

Visit the Budget Story webpage to learn more about the FCPS budget and the funding challenges that schools across Virginia, not just FCPS, face because of outdated state funding formulas.Read more of Dr. Reid’s Weekly Reflections.

Make Your Voice Heard!

Look for opportunities to share your ideas about funding public education and encourage your neighbors, friends, and community members to follow the FCPS budget process. Several key decision dates and engagement opportunities are listed below:

• Thursday, January 22, 2026 - Dr. Reid will present the proposed FCPS budget to the School Board. 

Herndon Community Center Open House Jan. 24, 2026 2pm-4pm

Immunization Events for FCPS Students

FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be available throughout the school year. 

Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. View immunization resources on the FCPS website.

Meal Accommodations Provide Safe, Nutritious Meals

FCPS’s Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) works to ensure every student has access to school meals that are safe, nutritious, and meet their individual dietary needs.

FNS works closely with families to provide reasonable meal accommodations for students whose medical needs affect what they can eat at school. To support students appropriately and safely, families are asked to submit medical documentation to FNS from a U.S. licensed health care provider so we can tailor meals to each child’s needs.

Learn more about the documentation required and the steps to develop a menu for your child.

Did Your Student Get a New Phone or Device? 

For a distraction-free start to the New Year, please remind your student about FCPS' policy for cell phones and personal devices. This policy helps students focus, interact more with their peers and teachers, and build independent problem-solving skills.

Visit FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including:

• Exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.

• Cell phone use on buses and field trips.
• Consequences for cell phone policy violations.

If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office.

Enhancing Safety and Security for Staff and Students

School safety and security are being enhanced across FCPS with a new emergency management system. The system includes sensors installed in schools and a wearable emergency response button (ERB) for staff. 

The button allows staff to quickly and discreetly request help and, once pressed, they provide location information within the school. The ERB will only work on school grounds and does not rely on cellular service. It is not meant to replace calling 911, but is an additional safety tool that can be used if calling 911 may not be safe or practical. 

Learn more about the emergency management system. You may submit questions to the FCPS Chief of Safety and Security Office.

Access Schoology to Support Your Child

Schoology is the learning management system used in FCPS. Parents and students can use Schoology to view assignments and messages from teachers. Learn more about how to access and navigate Schoology. 

Visit the Schoology Snippets YouTube playlist to watch short tutorials that walk you through how to use Schoology.

Need help logging in or accessing Tech Support? Visit the Schoology for Parents page.

Strategies for Better Sleep

Sleep is essential to good health, and getting enough sleep has big benefits to your physical and mental health and well-being. Sleep is restorative, allowing your body time to recover and repair. 

This is true for your child, too. In fact, adequate sleep in children supports healthy brain development, learning, and memory consolidation, as well as their mood. And it is important for a strong immune system and the prevention of infections. Read about how much sleep a person needs and get some sleep strategies you can use with your family.

Broadway Baddies: Cabaret 2026!

Come and join us for a night of fun Broadway songs! The Herndon Choir’s annual Cabaret night featuring students in grades 4-12 (including 3 Herndon ES students!!) is upon us! Performing songs from some of Broadway’s biggest bad guys and divas, you will be inspired (and maybe a little scared!) by the end of the evening. Enjoy songs from “Lion King,” “Hamilton,” “Hadestown”, “The Addams Family”, “Six!” and more! Shows are Friday, Jan 23 at 7PM, Saturday Jan 24 at 2PM and 7PM. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or at the door. See www.herndonhschoir.com for more information!

District News

In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

• FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Make Your Voice Heard! Have an Impact on the Budget
• Go on a Literacy Adventure 
• Enjoy Your Winter Break! 

Follow the Herndon Elementary renovation progress which is located on the FCPS website by clicking here.

Administration E-mail:

• Principal, Monika Vereb mgvereb1@fcps.edu 
• Assistant Principal, Elizabeth Baxter eabaxter@fcps.edu 
• Assistant Principal, Daphne Holliday daholliday@fcps.edu
• Assistant Principal, Kelly Cosgrove kmcosgrove@fcps.edu

📸(Left to Right): Mrs. Cosgrove, Dr. Vereb, Mrs. Holliday, and Mrs. Baxter

Do you know a Herndon Elementary staff member who goes above and beyond or turns the ordinary into something extraordinary? If so, click here to nominate them for FCPS Cares and help us share their story.

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630 Dranesville Rd. Herndon, VA 20170  | Main Office: 703-326-3100
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