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Upcoming Events
February 20: Academy Dance Benefit, 7pm
Saturday, February 21: VHSL One Acts, Academy auditions and World Language placement exams (Feb. 28 snow date)
February 23: Spring Sports Tryouts
February 24: Band Concert, 7pm, Auditorium
February 26: Orchestra Concert, 7pm, Auditorium
March 10: Sophomore College Night
March 8: Daylight Savings Time Begins (Spring Forward)
March 20: Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr, No School
March 27: End of 3rd quarter, 2HR Early Release
March 30 - April 3: Spring Break, No School
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February 20, 2026
Greetings, Fairfax Families,
While the weather outside has been a bit dreary, the spirit inside our hallways has been PAWSome. This week, we found plenty of reasons to celebrate, proving that a little recognition of excellence can make even the gloomiest day feel bright.
Celebrating Excellence: National Merit & Fairfax Pyramid Winners
We are incredibly proud to officially recognize our National Merit Finalists. This distinction is a testament to years of academic discipline and intellectual curiosity. Please join me in congratulating these students for reaching national academic achievement recognition.
Excellence, however, isn't limited to our students. We are also thrilled to announce our Faculty Pyramid Winners! These educators represent the very best of Fairfax High—professionals who go above and beyond every day to support, inspire, and challenge our Lions. A school is only as strong as its team, and we have the best in town.
The "Sprint" of Third Quarter
We have officially "locked in" to the third quarter. Because this is historically a shorter window of time, classes spent some time this week focusing on action plans.
Students in specialized work group sessions took time to reflect on their Q2 results and set concrete goals for the spring. Whether it’s attending more "Lion Time" sessions, refining study habits, or simply staying ahead of deadlines, we are encouraging every student to finish the year with the same energy they started with.
Have a great weekend and may it be relaxing and SNOW free.
In partnership,
Included in this issue:
Student Spotlight
Staff Spotlight
- Fairfax Pyramid Outstanding New Teacher Award Winner
- Fairfax Pyramid Outstanding Leader Award Winner
Calendar Reminders
- Public Schools Week, Feb. 23-27
- Saturday School Dates
Fairfax Lions Need to Know:
- Student Report Cards
- Black History Month Celebration
- Ramadan & Meditation Space Information
- Meal Kits for Fasting Students
- SR&R Survey
- Student Summit
- New Visitor Management System
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
- Fairfax Academy Dance Benefit Concert: Grounded, Feb. 20, 7pm
- Gap Year Fair, February 24
- Kaplan PSAT/SAT Prep
- Fairfax City Arbor Day Contest
- Prepare for Summer Learning
- District News / In Case You Missed It
- Quick Links
National Merit Finalists
 Congratulations to our National Merit Finalists!
Top Left, Rohan Desai
Top Right, Henry Mann
Bottom Left, Nathan Yoon and Michael Stechl
Not Pictured: Elias Falke
Fairfax Pyramid Outstanding New Teacher
Congratulations to ESOL Teacher, Joaquin Perez, for being named the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year (Secondary schools) for the Fairfax Pyramid!! Mr. Perez now gets to compete at the Region Level. Congratulations!!!
Fairfax Pyramid Outstanding Leader
Congratulations to Ashley Anderson, Director of Student Services, for being named the Outstanding School-Based Leader for the Fairfax Pyramid!! Ms. Anderson now gets to compete at the Region Level. Congratulations!!!
🗓️Calendar Reminders
Public Schools Week, Feb. 23-27
Public Schools Week is an annual celebration that brings together school leaders, educators, parents & community leaders to recognize the importance of our nation’s public schools.
Saturday School this weekend, Feb 21
Saturday school is being held tomorrow, February 21st
No signup required, and snacks are provided, but transportation is on your own. Students should enter the building at Door 1, check in at the Security Desk, and report to the Library.
See below for the remaining Saturday School Dates.
February 28
March 7, 14
April 11, 18, 25
May 2, 9, 16, 30
June 6
These dates may change, so keep an eye on this space for updates.
Student Report Cards
Report Cards for Quarter 2 have been posted to your ParentVue. Any issues with accessing ParentVue, please reach out to Ms. AbdelRahim-Soboleva at mabdelrahims@fcps.edu.
Black History Month Celebration
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 p.m., 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.
Ramadan & Meditation Space Information
Ramadan Mubarak to those in our community who observe! In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity, and good deeds. Muslims believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad.
**MEDITATION & REFLECTION SPACE STUDENT PASSES**
To revisit consistent practices, we will be revisiting our Meditation and Reflection systems for students (MARS). We are requesting ALL students receive a new temporary pass with a new permission slip in order to miss instructional time.
When the new permission slip is returned, students will receive a permanent MARS pass.
- Students may leave class to meditate.
- Hallway 23 is the dedicated meditation space.
- Students should only be gone 15 mins on the meditation pass.
The library will be open for students during lunch to accommodate those who are fasting.
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 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.
Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.
All students in grades 6-12, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 23. We will administer the survey during the school day between Monday, February 23, and Friday, March 6. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. The electronic opt-out form can also be accessed at this link.
We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which includes a focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.
SR&R Survey
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.
Student Summit
Students: Share Your Ideas With the Superintendent
The inaugural FCPS Student Summit is a superintendent-led leadership and engagement experience designed to elevate student voice across FCPS. It will take place Monday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the new western high school.
The Student Summit will bring together high school students to share ideas, perspectives, and recommendations directly with the superintendent. Students will engage in meaningful conversations on important topics, including access to programs and resources, skill-building and micro-credentials, AI literacy, and other student-identified priorities.
Student Summit Planning Committee
High school students are encouraged to apply to serve on the FCPS Student Summit Planning Committee. Committee members will collaborate with students from other high schools, share creative and innovative ideas, and earn community service hours. Two students from each high school will be selected to serve on the planning committee. The application will be open until Monday, February 16.
New Visitor Management System
We are excited to announce that our school is now using the new Raptor Visitor Management System (VMS). This upgrade is part of our school’s and FCPS’ ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety and streamlining the process for visitors at our school. The VMS ensures that no visitor is on the sex offender registry.
For most visitors, the user experience will be the same when you check-in at the front office.
But now there is also an app, which can make check-in’s even faster at school. Visitors who choose to download the RaptorSafe App and create a Raptor Passport can pre-verify their information before they get to school. The app will give you a QR code you can use when you check-in at school.
If you have questions or need assistance with the new system, please contact our front office at 703-219-2200. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe!
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
Fairfax Academy Dance Presents: Grounded
Dance Benefit, Feb. 20 @ 7pm
Dancers Fight for "Grip": "Grounded" Benefit Concert to Transform Fairfax Academy Studio
Fairfax Academy is proud to announce "Grounded," a collaborative benefit dance concert aimed at enhancing student safety and performance standards. The showcase will take place on February 20th at 7:00 PM at the Fairfax High School Auditorium. Admission is free to the public, with all donations directed toward the installation of a professional Marley floor for the Academy’s dance studio.
For dancers at Fairfax Academy, the current studio surface has become a significant hurdle. Notoriously slick, the existing floor requires dancers to split their focus between their artistry and their balance. In dance, "grounding" is the essential connection between the body and the floor; without a reliable surface, performers cannot achieve the stability needed for high-level technical execution.
A Community Coming Together
To support this mission, an incredible lineup of local talent is joining the Fairfax Academy Dancers on stage. The evening will feature a diverse array of styles and cultural traditions, featuring guest performances from:
- Greater Washington Chinese Dance
- Rhythm and Arts Center for Dance
- 1 Pick
- West Potomac Academy
- Kaleid Dance Company
- Kalavardhi Center for the Performing Arts
The Goal: A Professional Foundation
The funds raised during "Grounded" will go directly toward a Marley floor, a specialized vinyl surface designed specifically for dance. Unlike standard flooring, Marley provides a consistent "grip" that prevents dangerous slips while allowing for fluid movement. This upgrade is vital for preventing injuries and ensuring that Fairfax Academy students can train on a professional-grade surface.
"Our dancers deserve a space where they can push their physical limits without fear of slipping," says [Name], [Title] at Fairfax Academy. "A Marley floor isn't a luxury; it’s a foundational tool that allows a dancer to truly feel grounded and secure in their craft."
Event Details
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What: "Grounded" Benefit Dance Concert
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When: February 20th, 2026, at 7:00 PM
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Where: Fairfax High School Auditorium, 3501 Lion Run, Fairfax, VA
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Admission: No tickets required. Entry is free, though attendees are encouraged to make a donation via the QR codes provided at the event to support the flooring project.
About Fairfax Academy: Fairfax Academy for Communications and the Arts is a high school career and technical education center that provides professional-level training in the arts. The dance program focuses on technical excellence, creativity, and preparing students for future careers in the performing arts.
Gap Year Fair
Learn About Opportunities for the Year Following Graduation
FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas will co-host the FCPS Virtual Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, February 24, from 6 to 7 p.m. This event is for high school students and their families who are interested in learning about opportunities for the year following high school graduation. Students should register at USA Gap Year Fairs. Contact Pamela White with any questions.
Kaplan PSAT/SAT Prep
Grades 9-11 now have free access to Kaplan’s online PSAT/SAT prep programs.
Students should use this link (https://tinyurl.com/FCPSKaplan) and their FCPS username and password to access this new and great resource! See below for directions on how to navigate the platform. Students will remain active through October 31, 2026, allowing coverage for multiple SAT administrations and the October PSAT held here at Fairfax High School.
Accessing your Kaplan PSAT course.pdf
Accessing your Kaplan SAT course.pdf
Fairfax City Arbor Day Contest
Help Fairfax City celebrate its 40th Arbor Day with a POEM!
Submissions due: March 8, 2026
"Protect the Environment Around You"
Poems should explore topics related to caring for our earth,
including air, water, soil, forests, and biodiversity.
- 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
- Poems must be the student’s own work without the use of AI (for
example ChatGPT)
- Contest winners will receive a $50 gift card and be invited to recite their
poem at the city’s Arbor Day celebration on April 25, 2026
- Submit Your Poem online: fairfaxva.gov/trees
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
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.
Self-Directed Economics and Personal Finance
Summer is a great time for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance course requirement. During the self-directed course, students work independently to complete the requirements. Registration is now open. Students must register by Friday, June 5. For more information, see the Summer Learning information page.
Summer Online Campus
Take advantage of the opportunity to earn a high school course credit via this summer’s Online Campus program. Registration is now open. Students must register by Friday, June 5. Mathematics, health and physical education, career and technical education, English, science, social studies, and world language courses are available to eligible middle and high school students.
District News/In Case You Missed It
- In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Celebrating Our Students
- Summer Camp and Learning
- New High School Name
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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