2025-26 FCPS School Calendar

• February 16: No School, President's Day
• February 16: Sign up for student fasting kit for week of February 23
• February 17: : Student Holiday (Teacher Workday for Staff)
• February 18: 3 Hr Early Release (school dismisses at 1:05pm)
• February 19: FCPS Divisionwide Spirit Day: Wear bright and tropical 
• February 23: Sign up for student fasting kit for week of March 2
• March 2:  Sign up for student fasting kit for the week of March 9
• March 9:  Sign up for student fasting kit for the week of March 16

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Message from Principal Vereb 

Principal Reflections from the Hive

📸Snapshots from Principal Vereb

Presidents Day Holiday, February 16 Student Holiday, February 17

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. 

See the complete school year calendar.

Meal Kits for Fasting Students

From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.

Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The next deadline is February 16, for the week of February 23 .

• Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day. 
• Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
• Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.

Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and more information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.

Save the Dates!
3-hour Early Release at 1:05 pm
Wednesday, February 18

On Wednesday, February 18th, Herndon Elementary will have a 3-hour early release at 1:05pm.  

SAVE THESE DATES! HERNDON ELEMENTARY will release at 1:05pm on the following dates:

• March 18

• April 22

• May 13

Please visit the FCPS website Early Release Wednesdays page for additional information about early release Wednesdays.

Reid Reflects: Let’s Thaw, FCPS!
February 19

In her Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shared a photo of FCPS chiefs dressed up in summer wear, trying to heat up with some positive energy! 

She encourages 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, for the #FCPSThaw. Read more in Weekly Reflections.

HES Heritage Night is Coming!

Our Annual Heritage Night will be on Thursday, March 19, 5:30-7:30 pm. We have a lot to do to get ready and would love your help!  Yesterday, we sent home a packet in your child's backpack on how HES families can get involved in this fun and vibrant event.  

Please fill out the form and have your child return it to his/her teacher. 

Questions? Please contact Mrs. Perez in the main office at MYPerez@fcps.edu

Herndon ES Kindergarten Open House Rescheduled to April 10

Kindergarten open houses are being held this spring to give parents of students entering school in August an opportunity to learn more about kindergarten at their school. Herndon Elementary's open house has been reschedule to April 10, 10:00-11:30 am.

FCPS recognizes that parents are their children’s first teachers. Resources on the School Readiness and Transition to Kindergarten webpage provide parents with ways to support their children to help ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten. 

There’s also an easy-to-follow five-step process for parents registering their children for kindergarten. Register your child today!

Questions? Please contact our Herndon Elementary Student Information Assistant/Registrar, Shermin Sirajudin, at 703-326-3108 or ssirajudin@fcps.edu

Survey on Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Now Open for All Families 

On Monday, all FCPS parents/caregivers and middle and high school students received an email to participate in a voluntary and confidential survey. (Please check your spam folder if you have not received it.)

Questions refer to proposed changes to FCPS’ SR&R document for next year. This document outlines the rules that students are expected to follow, and guidelines for consequences if those expectations are not met. Possible changes include:

• Universal Discipline: Charts will list consequences and supports for students. They will help ensure that two students of the same grade will be treated fairly and receive the same level of support.
• Standards for In-School Suspensions of Students with Disabilities: Creating standards for how in-school suspensions are handled for students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan.
• Accommodations for Multilingual Learner Student Statements: Providing translation accommodations when Multilingual Learner students provide statements about disciplinary incidents.

The survey will be open until Friday, February 20. Survey materials are available online.

School Zone Enforcement Month

February marks School Zone Enforcement Month. Fairfax County police officers will be conducting targeted enforcement near schools, crosswalks, and bus routes throughout the county.

Enforcement efforts will focus on:

• Speeding in school speed limit zones.
• Pedestrian safety violations.
• Passing a stopped school bus.

Passing a stopped school bus remains one of the most dangerous violations officers witness. Drivers are reminded that stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights is the law. Read more about School Zone Enforcement Month.

In-Person Herndon Youth Soccer Registration

Herndon Youth Soccer will hold in-person registration on Sundays, February 15 and 22, 4:30-6:30 pm at the Herndon Community Center gym, Bready Park, 814 Ferndale Ave, Herndon. 

herndonyouthsoccer.org

"This event is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or Herndon ES."

Camp Build Registration Open
Grades 6-8

This is a free co-ed day camp offered by the Rosendin Foundation for middle school students to learn hands-on about construction.

What’s Offered: Hands on projects such as creating lamps, steppingstones, and a project to donate to the local community. Additionally, campers will learn
about career opportunities available in the industry.

When: July 13-17

Where: 22615 Ladbrook Dr, Suite 100, Sterling VA

Contact therosendinfoundation.org/camp-build/ for more information.  Deadline to apply is March 31, 2026

"This camp is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or Herndon ES."

ESTUDIO DE CUENTOS

A new Spanish Storytime program from Hirshhorn Art School

ABOUT ESTUDIO DE CUENTOS

Estudio de Cuentos is a free Spanish-language Storytime program held the third Tuesday of each month in Hirshhorn Art School, on the Lower Level of the Hirshhorn Museum. Participants enjoy a special hour of play, read-alouds, and artistic exploration. No reservations are required!

There are two sessions of Estudio de Cuentos, which take place at 10 and 11 AM. The program is designed for kids from birth to age 6 and their caregivers. We recommend that at least one person in your group (child or caregiver) speaks Spanish.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS 10 and 11 AM:

• Tuesday, February 17

• Tuesday, March 17*

• Tuesday, April 21

• Tuesday, May 19*

*Teaching artist visit

For more information, visit: https://hirshhorn.si.edu/public-programs/storytime/

GETTING TO THE HIRSHHORN MUSEUM

The closest Metro station is L’Enfant Plaza (serving the green, yellow, orange, blue, and silver lines).

HIRSHHORN Art School Smithsonian

"This event is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or Herndon ES."

ESTUDIO DE CUENTOS

Un nuevo programa de la Escuela de Arte Hirshhorn

SOBRE ESTUDIO DE CUENTOS

Estudio de Cuentos es un programa gratis y en español que ocurre el tercer martes del mes en la Escuela de Arte del Hirshhorn, ubicada en la planta baja del museo. Los participantes son bienvenidos a disfrutar de una hora especial de juego, lecturas en voz alta y exploración artística.

Hay dos sesiones de Estudio de Cuentos que empiezan a las 10 y 11 de la mañana. El programa está diseñado para niños desde recién nacidos hasta los 6 años y sus cuidadores.

PRÓXIMOS PROGRAMAS 10 y 11 AM:

• Martes, 17 de febrero

• Martes, 17 de marzo*

• Martes, 21 de abril

• Martes, 19 de mayo*

*visita de una artista

Para más información, visita: https://hirshhorn.si.edu/public-programs/storytime/

CÓMO LLEGAR AL MUSEO

La estación de metro más cercana es L’Enfant Plaza (líneas verde, amarillo, anaranjado, azul y plata).

HIRSHHORN Art School Smithsonian

"Este evento no está patrocinado ni respaldado por la Junta Escolar del Condado de Fairfax, el Superintendente, ni la Escuela Primaria Herndon."

Pre-Order Your HES Yearbook

The Herndon ES 2026 Yearbooks are now available for preorder! Capture all the memories from this school year for just $15 per yearbook.

🛒 Order online: www.myschoolbucks.com

📞 Prefer to order another way? Please contact Mrs. Perez at 703-326-3101.

Don’t miss your chance to save this year’s special moments—order yours today! The deadline to pre-order is May 1.

District News
In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

• FCPS News
  • • In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
    • FCPS at the Olympics
    • Coaches Making History
    • Divisionwide Spirit Day

    Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.  

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.

Click here to follow us on X (Twitter).

Click here to like our Facebook page.

Click here to follow us on LinkedIN.

Click here to access our website.

630 Dranesville Rd. Herndon, VA 20170  | Main Office: 703-326-3100
Attendance: 703-326-3131 | Web | Twitter | Facebook