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March 3: Iftar Celebration at Powell 5:00 PM
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March 6: Bingo Night 6:00 PM
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March 20: Eid-al-Fitr - Student holiday
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March 30- April 3: Spring Break
Fairfax County Public Schools 2025-2026 Standard School Year Calendar
Dear Powell Puma Families,
Happy almost March!
It’s hard to believe we are stepping into a new month already. March always feels like a turning point — longer days, hints of spring, and that renewed energy that comes with knowing brighter weather is on the horizon.
And… because this is Virginia… it looks like we may have one more winter cameo early next week. We could see a bit of snow and possibly slick conditions on Monday afternoon before temperatures bounce back again.
One thing I love about this time of year is that it perfectly reflects what we see inside Powell:
- A little unpredictability
- A lot of resilience
- And a community that knows how to adjust and move forward together
As we enter March, we are excited about:
- Continued strong learning across classrooms
- Opportunities to celebrate student growth
- And all the momentum building as we head toward spring
Thank you, as always, for your flexibility with weather changes and for partnering with us every single day. Whether it’s sunshine or snow, Powell students continue to shine.
Here’s to a wonderful start to March!
With appreciation,
Catherine
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-ins 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. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe!
The 2nd Annual CPES Iftar Event is approaching! Here are the key details from the invitation:
Event Details
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Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
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Time: The event begins at 5:00 PM, with Iftar served at sundown (around 6:00 PM).
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Location: Colin Powell ES Cafeteria
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Style: Potluck; families are encouraged to bring a dish to share.
Important Actions
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RSVP: Please sign up and register your dish by February 24th using the link here
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Community Participation: The event is open to everyone—Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
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Share Memories: Families are encouraged to share favorite Ramadan photos or short videos of their children discussing what they love most about Ramadan.
DON’T DELAY! BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!!
DATE: MARCH 6, 2026 DOORS OPEN: 6:00 PM / PIZZA SERVED: 6:15 PM BINGO: 7 PM – 9 PM
Calling all Pumas! Mark your calendars for the annual Colin Powell Bingo Night. We hope you will come out and support the 6th grade class on Friday, March 6 for a fun-filled family night full of bingo games, pizza, snacks, and prizes! Proceeds from Bingo Night go towards the 6th grade end of year celebration.
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TICKETS MUST BE PRE-ORDERED FOR ALL PERSONS ATTENDING. This is not a drop off event. All adults must accompany all children.
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Tickets are $5 per person for 10 Bingo cards and MUST be pre-ordered and purchased in advance. Additional cards may be purchased at the event.
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Pizza will be sold (pre-order ONLY) along with water. Snacks will be sold at the event.
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Please return the order form and your cash/check (payable to CPES PTA) in an envelope marked “Bingo Night” by Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
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BINGO ORDER FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WHEN MAXIMUM CAPACITY IS MET.
Questions? Contact Jen Gant at jagant@fcps.edu
Access School Picture Day Flyer and Web Banner
Access our secure site by clicking here: www.pictureportal.org or copy and paste this into your Chrome browser. Google Chrome is the required browser to run this site.
If you do not have your login information, on the login screen you can click Forgot Password to have your password reset and emailed to you.
• Click on Photo Events on the left menu
- Find the event for your upcoming picture day (school pictures, class groups, etc.)
- Click the View (first icon) to download the Flyer or to resend the email for your web banner link
Feel free to contact your Sales Representative with any questions that you may have about picture day.
🚨 Registration Opens Soon! 🚨
We’re excited to kick off another amazing season of Baroody Camps enrichment programs at Colin Powell! 🎉
📅 Registration opens: March 5th
🔗 Register here: bc-ffx-colinpowell.jumbula.com
Don’t miss out on the fun—secure your spot early and get ready for an unforgettable Spring! 🍂✨
- Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Dr. Reid’s Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on:
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Tuesday, March 3, at Waples Mill Elementary School.
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Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
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Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
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Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
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Monday, April 20, Westgate Elementary School.
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Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
- Celebrating the Power of School Breakfast
Multiple studies show that school breakfasts are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school breakfast consume more fruit and fiber than their peers.
This National School Breakfast Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. New menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback.
Would you like to know what’s for breakfast? Nutrition Services has printable menus available.
- Pre-K and Early Head Start Programs
FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors, ages 6 weeks to 4 years, living in Fairfax County.
- Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30 of the same year.
- Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from pregnancy to 2 years old.
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible; space is limited and provided based on need, not on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications are accepted online, by email, by mail, or in person at the program office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.
If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
Become Unskippable: Share the Facts About Fentanyl With Teens
Talking with teens about the facts of fentanyl is a conversation you can’t skip. Learning about fentanyl gives teens a better understanding of the risks and effects of the drug, and what they can do to keep themselves and their communities safe.
Share these important facts with your child:
- Even half a fentanyl-laced pill can be fatal. Just a few salt-sized grains of fentanyl are enough to cause an overdose.
- More than half of local street pills contain a deadly dose of fentanyl. As of 2023, seven in
10 counterfeit pills in the U.S. contain enough fentanyl to cause a fatal overdose.
- Fentanyl is usually taken accidentally. Many people have no idea they’ve taken it until they overdose because you can’t see, smell, or taste it in pills and powders.
- Overdose can happen in an instant. In as little as four minutes, the lack of oxygen can lead to brain damage and even death.
Learn more about how to have conversations with your child in a way that will make you Become Unskippable.
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Volunteer FCPS allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities. It helps ensure a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment here at [School]. All volunteers must:
- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk.
At the Volunteer FCPS site, you can complete a volunteer orientation. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
We are excited to announce that our school is now using the new Raptor Visitor Management System (VMS). This upgrade is part of our schools 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 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. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe!
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.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
Summer leagues, camps, and clinics are now open for registration! Join Southwestern Youth Association (SYA) for a variety of sports programs designed for boys and girls.
Program Details
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Ages: 5–18
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Offerings: * Basketball
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Cricket
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Field Hockey (Spring Clinic!)
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Rugby
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Track & Field
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Ultimate Frisbee (Spring Team!)
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Summer Camps & Clinics: Multi-sport, Soccer, and Volleyball
How to Register
Visit our website or scan the QR code on the flyer to secure your spot today.
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Website: www.syasports.org
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Email: info@syasports.org
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Follow us on social media: Find SYA on Instagram and Facebook.
Note: This information is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or this school.
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
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