Boundary Review Update, AI @ FCPS, and Reducing the Spread of Flu and Other Germs

Seventh grade students at Poe Middle School gather before a theater class.

💭 Reid Reflects: Safeguarding Students and AI Learning

Last week, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid kicked off a half-day training on ChatGPT for Teachers for school-based technology staff. And in the Academic Matters portion of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid provided an update on Artificial Intelligence (AI) @ FCPS.  In her remarks, Dr. Reid noted that studies show students are already using AI, so it is essential that we begin by training adults who can guide this work responsibly. FCPS’ guiding principles for implementing AI include:   Humans in Control: Teachers are the experts responsible for learning and decision-making. AI supports teachers. It does not replace them.  Ethical and Responsible: We must uphold academic integrity and protect student privacy and security. Intentional Adoption: Continuously monitoring AI's impacts, maximizing its benefits, and implementing safeguards to avoid harm. Read more about this School Board presentation and the ChatGPT for Teachers training in Weekly Reflections.

🤧 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.

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

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 made available throughout the school year. 

Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are also available. 

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.

So when should your child stay home? Visit our site for helpful insights regarding absences and how to work with your child and your school to minimize impacts on learning.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify your child’s school and teacher so that assistance can be provided, if needed.

😴 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 also true for your child. In fact, adequate sleep in children supports healthy brain development, learning, memory consolidation, and their overall 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 sleep strategies you can use with your family.

🧸 Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3

There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:

1. Determine eligibility. 
2. Identify your local school. 
3. Gather documents. 
4. Fill out forms. 
5. Schedule an appointment.

After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation and any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process.

💻 Try Online Registration

Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process. When registering, parents will create (or log in to an existing) SIS ParentVUE account.

📍School Board to Hold Final Public Hearing Prior to Boundary Vote on January 22

Superintendent Reid recommended proposed boundary changes to the School Board during its January 8 board meeting. 

After feedback from the community, including testimony shared during the January 10 public hearing, the superintendent is amending her initial recommendation, as discussed during yesterday’s work session and last night’s (January 13) public hearing. Dr. Reid’s updated recommendation for proposed changes, including an amended presentation and executive summary, will be posted to Boarddocs and the FCPS website by late afternoon on Thursday, January 15. Please check for the updated materials then.

The School Board is holding a public hearing on the superintendent’s revised proposed changes to school boundaries on Thursday, January 22, at 6:15 p.m. at Jackson Middle School. If you would like to register to speak, please do so by Tuesday, January 20, at 4:30 p.m. The School Board Office will notify speakers via email no later than the morning of January 21.

The board is scheduled to vote on the superintendent’s recommendation for proposed boundary changes and implementation on Thursday, January 22. Visit the FCPS website for more information about the boundary review.

🔬 Nine FCPS Students Among Nation’s Top 300 Teen Scientists

The Society for Science announced the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2026, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors.

Nine of the 300 scholars are FCPS students: one from Chantilly High School and eight from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Read about the young scientists.

🧪 Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair Call for Judges

Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair will be held on Saturday, March 14, at Robinson Secondary School. Each year, more than 250 judges are required to evaluate science fair projects in categories ranging from astronomy to plant science to biomedical engineering.

Judges should hold an advanced degree or possess extensive academic and/or professional experience in the category for which they apply. Parents, teachers, and family friends are not allowed to judge in categories in which their child, student, or family friend's child is competing.

Qualified individuals who are interested in judging should click “Create Account” and register as a judge by Sunday, March 8.

✈️ Learn About Opportunities for the Year Following Graduation at the Gap Year Fair

FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas will co-host the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Wednesday, January 28, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., at Marshall High School.

This event is for high school students and their families who are interested in learning about opportunities for the year following high school graduation. Students should register at USA Gap Year Fairs.

📱 Did Your Child 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 our 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 your school’s main 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 this webpage for Schoology for Parents.

🚨 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. Submit questions online to the FCPS Chief of Safety and Security Office.

🍴 Meal Accommodations Provide Safe, Nutritious Meals

The FCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) works to ensure that 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.

💅 High School Students Bring Cross-Generational Conversation and Nail Polish to Senior Living Center

When South Lakes High School junior Zahra decided to open a chapter of GlamourGals, a non-profit that brings students and seniors together, her first thought was of her grandmother in Afghanistan.

She hoped that thousands of miles away, someone was taking the time to get to know her family member, whom she connects with regularly online but rarely sees in person.

The after-school club that she formed last year makes monthly visits to senior living facilities where students spend the afternoon painting nails, crafting, and, most importantly, chatting.

🎨 Students Create Their Legacy With Local Artist in Residence

Hunters Woods Elementary School and its grounds are adorned with colorful murals and sculptures, with even more art on display inside. Various sixth grade classes created each eye-catching piece, collaborating with a local artist.

The Artist in Residence program is funded by the Hunters Woods PTA. Every year, the school chooses a local artist to work with the outgoing sixth grade class. Together, they create a permanent art installation.

Apply for Your Child to Learn in Two Languages

The 2026-27 Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program offers students in kindergarten and first grade the opportunity to learn in English and another language — French, German, Japanese, Korean, or Spanish — for half of each instructional day.

The online, countywide lottery is open to Fairfax County residents. Families must have a SIS ParentVUE account. Students not currently enrolled in FCPS should register at their base school before applying for the immersion program. 

Families applying for first grade must do so by Thursday, February 12, at 4 p.m. Those applying for kindergarten must do so by Monday, March 2, at 4 p.m.

View dates and details for informational meetings on the FCPS calendar. If you have questions, please contact Brigid Williams at 571-423-4600.

🗓️ Calendar Reminders: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Holiday)

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 

Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 19, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. 

Quarter End (Early Release) 

Wednesday, January 28, is the last day of the quarter and an early release for students.

Schools are closed for students on Thursday, January 29, for a staff development day, and Friday, January 30, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.

SIS ParentVUE will be unavailable for students and parents during end-of-quarter updates from Wednesday, January 28, at 4 p.m. until Thursday, February 5, at 6 a.m.

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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