Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility during the recent weather-related closures and delays. We truly appreciate your support as we work to keep our students and staff safe while maintaining consistency in learning.
I would also like to congratulate our Special Olympics Unified basketball team on their outstanding effort in their games last Saturday. Our students represented Katherine Johnson Middle School with pride, teamwork, and sportsmanship—we are so proud of them. Kudos to our two coaches, Ashley Mies and Mike Scharkowski.
Happy National School Counselor Week! We’re grateful for our school counselors and the care, guidance, and advocacy they provide every day. Thank you for supporting students’ academic success, well-being, and future dreams—you truly make a difference.
Finally, thank you to our Student Council Association (SCA) and PTA for hosting a fantastic school dance. The event was well-organized, joyful, and a great example of what we can accomplish when students, families, and staff work together.
If you have any questions or concerns you can contact our main office at 703-934-2400 or contact me directly at cmsmith@fcps.edu.
It’s time to secure your keepsake for the school year! We are partnering with Jostens for all yearbook sales this year.
By now, you should have received emails directly from Jostens containing your personalized ordering link and special early-bird discount coupons. To ensure your student receives a copy, please place your order directly through their website.
Tired of all the cold weather? Let’s warm up with a little school spirit across the division!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is encouraging all FCPS students, teachers, and staff to shake the wrinkles out of their brightest outfits and tropical wear to help brighten everyone’s moods on Thursday, February 19.
Please remind your student that cell phones and personal devices (AirPods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell). Cell phones are also not permitted to be used as an instructional tool.
FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students stay focused, safe, and engaged at school. Visit FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including consequences for cell phone policy violations and exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.
If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call our front office at 703-934-2400, press"0".
Spotlight on the Arts Art Contest — Now Accepting Submissions Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts is seeking to support local artists in Northern Virginia, enhance awareness of the visual arts, and encourage emerging artists in our community through an annual Art Contest. • Deadline: February 22 • $3,500 in cash prizes, including a $500 Student Artist Award • Open to all artists in the Northern Virginia region (no age limitation) Prize money will be awarded at the Spotlight on the Arts Festival Opening Reception on Friday, April 24, 2026. More information is available here.
Organized by: Fairfax City Environmental Sustainability Committee
Help Fairfax City celebrate its 40th Arbor Day by submitting an original poem!
Theme: "Protect the Environment Around You"
Topics: Poems should explore topics related to caring for our Earth, including air, water, soil, forests, and biodiversity.
Submission Deadline: March 8, 2026
Eligibility and Rules
Participants: The contest is open to all Fairfax City K-12 students at City of Fairfax Schools, The New School of Northern Virginia, and St. Leo's the Great Catholic School.
Originality: Poems must be the student's own work without the use of AI, such as ChatGPT.
Prizes and Recognition
Award: Contest winners will receive a $50 gift card.
Recitation: Winners will be invited to recite their poem at the city's Arbor Day celebration on April 25, 2026.
Comité de Sostenibilidad Ambiental de la Ciudad de Fairfax
Tema: "Protege el medio ambiente que te rodea".
Elegibilidad: Estudiantes de primaria y secundaria (K-12) de las escuelas de la Ciudad de Fairfax, The New School of Northern Virginia, y St. Leo's the Great Catholic School.
Premio: Los ganadores recibirán una tarjeta de regalo de $50 y podrán recitar su poema el 25 de abril de 2026.
FCPS Launches ARTiFAX, Honoring Teen Artists With 299 Awards
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has launched ARTiFAX, a new art recognition program created exclusively for FCPS teen artists in grades 7–12 enrolled in visual art programs. Designed to honor artistic excellence, creative growth, and student voice, ARTiFAX highlights the depth and diversity of visual arts education across the school division. To view the contestant winners, click on the link below.
Visit our Weather Cancellation Procedures webpage for additional ways to get updates regarding school closures and delays. If we need to make any changes to the school day because of weather, we will share that information with you via email, text message, the FCPS Social Media pages, our FCPS App, and through local media outlets.
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.
FCPS is offering take-home meal kits from Wednesday, February 18 to Thursday, March 19, 2026 to support students who are fasting during the school day.
Thanks to a program from the Virginia Department of Education, students can now take healthy school meal kits home at the end of the day. These kits are designed to be eaten later that day and include both breakfast and lunch.
How to Sign Up:
Families must fill out a meal kit request form on the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) website for each student, every week. Because these meals are prepared fresh, we cannot accept late requests. Please check Important Dates and Forms below for weekly deadlines.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
February 11, 2026 for week of February 18, 2026
February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, for the Presidents Day holiday.
Teacher Workday and Observance Day
Tuesday, February 17, is a teacher workday. There will be no school for students.
Wednesday, February 18, is a religious and cultural observance day. There is school, however, specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on an observance day.
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 the main office at 703-934-2400, regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
How to Get Weather Updates ASAP
Celebrating Students and Staff
Kindergarten Open Houses
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
KJMS Family Liaisons
If you need to contact one of our parent liaisons, Ana Maxey (Mon.- Fri.) or Jennie Choi (Tues. & Wed.), please call 703-934-2454 and leave a message with your name, your student's name and phone number. You may also contact them via email: Ana Maxey at ajmaxey@fcps.edu or Jennie Choi at jchoi4@fcps.edu
Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center (PRC) offers free workshops (webinars), consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.
FCPS Cares
Do you want to celebrate a Katherine Johnson employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way, or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.
FCPS Cares: Share and submit your story about a Katherine Johnson staff member who has gone above and beyond for your child this year.
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS.
