Key Center Weekly Newsletter - 2.4.26

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LAST CHANCE! Key Center Spirit Wear Online Store

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Show your Key Center pride. Our spirit wear webstore is now open for a short time. This is a great way for staff, students, and families to show school spirit at school and in the community. The online store is only open through this Friday, February 6, and will close at midnight on the last day. 

Access the Key Center Spirit Wear store to order your Key Center gear! 


Spirit Week Next Week! Show Some Love - February 9th - 13th

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Get ready to show some love during Spirit Week, February 9–13! We invite students and staff to join the fun each day by dressing up and celebrating together. Participation is always optional, and we encourage everyone to join in a way that feels comfortable and fun.

Here’s what each day will look like:

  • Monday – Show some love for your favorite team!
    Jersey Day (sports teams or favorite teams of any kind)
  • Tuesday – Show some love for your school!
    Key Center Gear Day
  • Wednesday – Show some love for your classroom team!
    Dress Alike Day (coordinate with your class)
  • Thursday – Show some love for rest and recovery!
    Comfy Clothing Day
  • Friday – Show some love for Valentine’s Day!
    Wear pink, red, or white

We can’t wait to see all the spirit and smiles next week. Thank you for helping us make Spirit Week a joyful experience for our students!


Help Us Celebrate Our Amazing Key Center Staff!

First Class Award

Every day, Key Center staff work hard to support students, build inclusion, and create positive learning experiences for all. Now is your chance to help recognize someone who truly goes above and beyond.

Fairfax County Public Schools is accepting nominations for the First-Class Awards. These awards honor individuals and teams who support, design, or lead inclusive practices that benefit students with disabilities and their peers.

We encourage families to nominate a Key Center staff member who:

  • Shows excellence in their role

  • Has a positive impact on both disabled and non-disabled students

  • Helps create a welcoming, inclusive school community

There are many award categories, including teachers, administrators, instructional assistants, therapists, support staff, teams, and specialty program staff. This means many different Key Center staff members are eligible to be nominated.

If there is someone at Key Center who has made a difference for your child or family, please consider submitting a nomination. Your voice matters, and this is a meaningful way to say thank you.

Nominations are due by February 20, 2026.

Please use the nomination form to share how an administrator, staff member, or team has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in FCPS


More News and Updates — on the go — With the FCPS App

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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:

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.

No Sign-In Required: Access essential content like district-wide announcements, live updates, and school calendars instantly — no password to remember, no login required.

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.

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 


Ombuds Office

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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.


Black History Month

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Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.

Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about Black History month.


2026 Special Education Family Conference

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The 2026 Special Education Family Conference,  Stronger Together: Connecting Families & Schools, will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026. This in-person event will offer opening sessions for all participants in the morning and choice breakout sessions.  This no-cost, in-person event is hosted by Fairfax County Public Schools in collaboration with a host of internal and external community partners. Families will have the opportunity to hear a keynote address from internationally renowned educator and advocate, Dr. Shelley Moore, connect to resources, and participate in afternoon sessions.

Location: George C. Marshall High School 
                  7731 Leesburg Pike              
                  Falls Church, VA  22043

Time: 8:30am to 3:30pm

Click here to register and provide your contact information, request for childcare, special accommodations, and language interpretation needs.

Additional information is available on the  FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage.


Resources

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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.

Weather Closing - Prepare for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! 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.

Virginia Energy Assistance Program (DSS)

Eligible households may receive help with heating, cooling, or energy emergencies through Fuel, Crisis, and Cooling Assistance programs. Support can include help paying utility bills, heating fuel, deposits, or repairing/replacing heating or cooling equipment. Applications are accepted online via CommonHelp, by phone, or through local DSS offices during program-specific application periods. Benefits are based on availability of funds.

Community Health Fair

Mason District will hold their 2nd Annual Community Health Fair on Saturday, February 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m at the James Lee Community Center. They are partnering with a variety of community groups, organizations, and county departments to provide valuable health-related information, services, and resources for our community.

English Empowerment Center 

Spring 2026 Adult English Classes - Registration is now open for beginning-level adult English classes focused on practical communication skills for work, home, and the community. In-person classes are available across Northern Virginia, and online classes are open to learners anywhere. Classes are $85 and include books and materials; no one is turned away due to financial hardship. All are welcome.

Learn more and share with families:

(In-person Classes)  (Online Registration) 

Spring 2026 Class Schedule

Dental Care - Local and Regional Resources 

The following is a list of dental care providers in Fairfax County and surrounding area that offer low cost or sliding-fee dental services to low-income families. Please call them for information about services offered, eligibility, and costs. 

  • HealthWorks, 703-443-2000, press 2 for dental services
  • Howard University School of Dentistry, 202-806-0007
  • Neighborhood Health, 703-535-5568, press 9 for dental services  
  • Northern Virginia Community College Restorative Clinic, 703-822-6607 
  • Northern Virginia Dental Clinic, 703-820-7170 
  • Washington Hospital Center, 202-877-6737 

More information is available on the Fairfax County Health Department website.

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.

Workshops and Webinars

Visit the Family Academy Catalog to learn more about other resources. 


Key Center PTA

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Not yet a member of our PTA?  We would love to have you join!  You can also support Key Center by volunteering with our PTA or making a donation through our Educate Fairfax site.

Key Center PTA Membership
Key Center PTA Volunteer Opportunities
Key Center PTA Donations


Upcoming Dates

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February 16

Presidents’ Day - Holiday

February 17 

Teacher Workday - Student Holiday

March 20

Eid-Al-Fitr - Holiday

March 27

End of 3rdQ - 2 Hour Early Release -11:40am

March 30-April 3   

Spring Break

April 6

Teacher Workday - Student Holiday

April 10

School Planning Day - Student Holiday