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In This Issue
Ramadan/Lunar New Year
Teacher Workday (Lunar New Year, Ramadan Begins at Sundown)
Tuesday, February 17, is a teacher work day and there will be no school for students.
Herndon Middle School Community Meeting
Herndon Middle School has begun the search for a new principal, and parents, staff, and community members are invited to be part of the process.
Virtual Information Meeting
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. (Zoom)
Join URL: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/98736407752
Meeting ID: 987 3640 7752
Passcode: 286797
During this meeting, we will review the selection process and upcoming interview stages.
Advisory Panel Opportunity
A panel interview will be held on March 5, 2026, and will include staff and parent/community representatives. If you are interested in serving, please complete the Principal Input and Advisory Panel Interest Google Form by February 23, 2026. Selected participants will be contacted by Human Resources.
Share Your Input
We also welcome your confidential feedback on the skills, leadership qualities, and priorities you believe are important for our next principal. Please submit your input using the same Google Form by February 23, 2026.
Thank you for partnering with us during this important transition.
New Date: Special Education Family Conference
Please note that the 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at George C. Marshall High School (7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA).
We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause and appreciate your flexibility.
Updated conference information, including event details, is available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage.
Meal Kits for Fasting Students
From Wednesday, February 18 to Thursday, 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 first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16. Please note other important details below:
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Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day.
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Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
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Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence
Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the voices shaping our future at FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence will take place on Wednesday, February 25, at 6:00 PM, at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event will honor the rich history, strength, and contributions of the Black community through inspiring student performances and a powerful keynote address by Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Light refreshments will be available.
Survey on Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Now Open for All Families and Middle and High School Students
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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
Planning for Life in and After High School for Students with IEPs
Families, caregivers, and educators of elementary and middle school students receiving special education services are invited to join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school.
The transition fair will take place on Wednesday, March 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Luther Jackson Middle School.
Ensuring the success of our students with disabilities after high school is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future.
An exhibitor fair will include teachers and representatives from CTS high school courses, career academies, age 18-22 programs, and transition services for students with disabilities. This event also includes a presentation with a brief overview of transition services and a student/parent panel sharing firsthand experiences. Register in advance.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.
Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a two-week camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theater. Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well!
Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive for students in grades 6-11. Students in performance or technical theatre tracks rehearse, design, and build a musical in a collaborative atmosphere. The show is presented to the public at the end of camp.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
Warm Up FCPS – Divisionwide Spirit Day
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.
Help Keep Herndon Middle School Phone-Free!
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 703-904-4800.
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.
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.
Students vs Staff Game
Get ready for our first students versus staff game of the year! Join us in Night Hawk on Friday, February 27, at 2:40 PM for our students versus staff volleyball game to see if students will win again this year or if staff will make a spectacular comeback.
Normal Night Hawk activities will be cancelled, and all students must leave Night Hawk by 4:00 PM after the game has ended. There are no late buses on Fridays, so please make sure your student has transportation home, if needed.
If you have any questions, please contact 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.
Summer Boys' Basketball Opportunities from Herndon High School
Is your student interested in leveling up their basketball skills? Join Herndon HS Hornets for their boys' basketball camps for your 2026 summer. Families on the waitlist will receive priority registration access, including early bird pricing available through April 1st, 2026.
Sign up here today!
Questions? Reach out to ahamilton@fcps.edu.
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.
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.
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February
Black History Month
17 | Lunar New Year / Teacher Workday
18 | Ash Wednesday / First Full Day of Ramadan
19 | HMS Virtual Community Meeting
26 | Band Pre-Assessment Concert, 7:00 PM
27 | Night Hawk Student vs Staff: Volleyball Game
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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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