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In This Issue
Black History Month
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) believes in supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) for all students. In FCPS, students use a tool called the SEL Screener to think about their own SEL skills and experiences at school. Herndon Middle School students in grades 7 & 8 will be participating in the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in the Fall and Spring.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information about the SEL Screener, visit Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. Students at Herndon Middle School will begin taking the SEL Screener during the month of March.
World Language Credit By Exam (WLCBE) Fall 2025 Score Reporting
During the week of February 2, score reports for the World Languages Credit by Exam results will be placed in students’ SIS “Documents” tabs and will be available to parents using SIS ParentVue. The report includes passing status and earned credits. Students’ transcripts reflecting any earned credits will be updated in February as pass (P) credits. These credits will not impact Grade Point Averages (GPA). A list of the credits earned by the current school roster will be placed in the 02-Assessment Support Data Tools folders the week of January 26.
Schools are responsible for sending an eNotify message to inform parents/guardians that score reports are available in the SIS ParentVUE account. Schools are responsible for printing/distributing reports to families without SIS ParentVue accounts. Student score reports and a list of students without ParentVue accounts can be found the week of February 2 in the 02-Assessment Support Data Tools folders.
Student Fasting Meal Kits
From February 18 to March 19, 2026, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Important Meal Kit Information:
- Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid).
- Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day.
- Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day.
- Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
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February 11, 2026 for week of February 18, 2026
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February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
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February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
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March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
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March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
FCPS Ombuds Office Provides Confidential Guidance
The Office of the Ombuds engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help answer questions, offer options to resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters. Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, text 571-496-8284, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit the ombuds webpage, where you may submit a question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Adjustments to the End of the Quarter
Due to the recent loss of instructional days, the final day of the second quarter has been moved to Wednesday, February 4.
Teachers may continue second-quarter assessments through February 4 and will share any specific changes with students and families through Schoology. Students in semester courses will continue attending first-semester classes through February 4.
See the complete school year calendar.
Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
Students are meeting with their 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 and visit our Course Selection website.
❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather is here! 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.
Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!
We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during snow or inclement weather days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
📱More News and Updates — on the go — With the FCPS App
Gone are the days of digging through emails or hunting for bookmarks. The FCPS app provides a custom experience that is both powerful and easy to use. Here is how it makes life easier:
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Customized for Your Family: Do you have students at two (or more!) different schools? You can "follow" multiple schools to get a feed of news, notices, and events specific to your family.
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No Sign-In Required: Access essential content like district-wide announcements, live updates, and school calendars instantly — no password to remember, no login required.
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Real-Time Notifications: Get push notifications for urgent updates — including weather announcements! — ensuring you never miss an important announcement from the district or your school.
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Everything in One Place: From bell schedules and staff directories to athletic event locations and school menus, the app is a central hub for all things FCPS.
To ensure every family stays informed, the app supports automatic translation for more than 100 languages. Learn more about the app, or download it today in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
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.
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 at 703-904-4800.
Sign Up for Capital One Coders Creators
Students interested in learning to code can unleash their inner coder and create a mobile app with the help of a Capital One Coders mentor. The Spring program starts Wednesday, February 25, and all interested students must sign up by Tuesday, February 10.
Students can sign up here. Please note that the student ID number is required.
For more information, visit the Capital One Coders Creators program.
If you have questions, please email Ms. Shivers at lshivers@fcps.edu.
Track & Field Information Session
Track season is almost here! Is your student interested in joining the track & field team? Great! Join us for an information session on Thursday, February 12, at 6:00 PM in the auditorium to learn more about track and what to do to ensure your student is ready to go by April.
Have any questions? Email Ms. Shivers at lshivers@fcps.edu
Referees for After-School Intramural Sports Needed
Help referee Herndon Middle School After-School Program intramural games!
We are looking for energetic volunteers* to referee the following sports: Basketball, Futsal**, and Volleyball on Thursdays, 3:15 to 4:50 PM. Choose your preferred sport, and help support our student-athletes while keeping the games fair, positive, safe, and fun!
Interested? Contact Liana Shivers at lshivers@fcps.edu or 703-904-4819.
*Volunteering is open to community members and FCPS students. FCPS staff are eligible for pay at Hourly Band 7.
**Preference for futsal will be given to referees bilingual in Spanish & English.
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 weather. 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.
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.
Student Accident Insurance Reminder
Families are reminded that our school division does not provide medical insurance for accidents that occur at school. However, voluntary student accident insurance is available through K&K Insurance Group and may be a helpful option for your family.
This optional coverage can support families without medical insurance and may help with out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and co-pays for those who already have coverage. Plans may be purchased at any time during the school year. Please consider whether this coverage is right for your family.
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.
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.
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.
February
Black History Month
2-6 | National School Counseling Week
4 | Last Day of 2nd Quarter
5-7 | District Choir at Herndon High School
6 | Grade Posting Window
12 | Track and Field Info Session, 6:00 PM
13 | No Night Hawk
15 | School Resource Officer Appreciation Day
16 | Presidents Day
17 | Lunar New Year / Teacher Workday
18 | Ash Wednesday / First Full Day of Ramadan
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National School Counseling Week
National School Counseling Week, which will take place from Monday, February 2 through Friday, February 6, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and planning for a career. School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling.
Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS
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School Resource Officer Appreciation Day
February 15 is SRO Appreciation Day! We would like to thank to our very own FCPD and HPD School Resource Officers for their hard work, care, and dedication to keeping our school community safe and supported. We truly can’t appreciate them enough, and we’re grateful for all they do each and every day.
Please visit National Association of School Resource Officers to learn more.
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Presidents Day (Holiday)
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, for the Presidents Day holiday.
Presidents Day is a time to honor and remember the birthdays and achievements of the country's most distinguished leaders, and to reflect on the president's role in shaping the nation's history and development. Students should have the opportunity to engage in meaningful and enduring learning experiences that explore the remarkable history and impactful contributions of American presidents.
See the complete school year calendar
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Ash Wednesday / First Full Day of Ramadan
Wednesday, February 18, is Ash Wednesday and the first full day of Ramadan. FCPS has designated this day as a religious and cultural observance day. 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.
Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact their child’s principal regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
FCPS Cares
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.
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