💲FCPS Budget and School Safety Updates

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 02/25/2026 07:00 PM EST
student smiling


A second grade student at Columbia Elementary School enjoys practicing math concepts with toothpicks and modeling dough.

Follow the Budget Process

The School Board is scheduled to vote to adopt the Fiscal Year 2027 Advertised Budget at its Thursday, February 26, meeting. 

View the full meeting agenda on BoardDocs, where the budget documents will also be posted prior to the meeting. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.

Dr. Reid Reflects on the Budget Process

In Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided some context for the budget vote at tomorrow’s School Board meeting. 

Dr. Reid shared the link to the video from the School Board Budget Committee Meeting of the Whole. Read more in Weekly Reflections. Visit the Budget webpage to learn more and view upcoming engagement opportunities.

Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid

As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our division is critical to Dr. Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held this spring (from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted) on:

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.

Public Schools Week: Celebrating Our Schools and Community

parent and child walking together in a school hallway


We celebrate public schools every day in Fairfax County, but this week is especially meaningful. February 23 through 27 marks Public Schools Week — a nationwide celebration recognizing the vital role public schools play in strengthening communities and preparing students for the future.

FCPS schools thrive because of strong partnerships among families, educators, staff, and community members. Public Schools Week highlights the innovation, collaboration, and shared commitment that help students grow, achieve, and discover their potential. 

Visit our Public Schools Week celebration page for examples of how FCPS is supporting our students’ success. One recent example is a monthly math class for parents and caregivers at Riverside Elementary School, so they can engage with their children’s learning at home.

Thank you for supporting our students, teachers, and FCPS!

New Visitor Management System

All FCPS schools are now using the new Raptor Visitor Management System (VMS). This new system is part of FCPS’ ongoing commitment to layered school safety and streamlining the process for visitors at our schools. The VMS ensures that no school visitor is on the sex offender registry. 

The user experience will generally remain the same. Visitors will check in at the front office and scan their ID.

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 to check in. 

Submit questions online to the FCPS Chief of Safety and Security Office.

School Board Approves Capital Improvement Program to Modernize Schools and Support Growing Communities

The School Board approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027–31 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at its February 12 meeting. The CIP is a comprehensive five-year roadmap for capital investments that will strengthen learning environments, support student success, and address critical facility needs across the school division. It is a working budget document that shows the timing and costs of improvements to school buildings, such as renovations, additions, and new schools. Read about the CIP.  

Pre-K and Early Head Start Programs

pre-K


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).

Family Academy Offers Support to Parents and Guardians

The Family Academy offers resources and in-person and virtual classes, workshops, webinars, and programs for families. The following webinars and workshops will take place in March:

  • Co-Parenting: Two Parents, Two Homes (in Spanish)
  • The Connected Family: Navigating the Digital World Together
  • Introduction to Career Pathways for Students
  • Getting to Know Fairfax County Public Schools: A Family Orientation (for military families)
  • Mind in the Making: Making Connection and Critical Thinking

There will also be Family Resource Center webinars on topics including reducing parent stress and anxiety, parenting neurodivergent kids, why smart kids struggle, and a countdown to kindergarten. 

Visit the Family Academy Catalog to explore these and other resources.

Marshall Academy Instructor named ACTE New Teacher of the Year

chef

Sean Appleby, a culinary instructor and proud FCPS graduate, has been named the 2026 Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) New Teacher of the Year. This honor recognizes excellence, innovation, and leadership in career and technical education.

Sean is a 2011 graduate of Marshall Academy and Madison High School. Read about his journey and this recognition. 

CTE Courses Prepare Students for Higher Education and Employment

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. By enrolling in a CTE course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. The availability of, accessibility to, and participation in work-based learning opportunities (like CTE) are part of FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 5 - Leading for Tomorrow's Innovation.

A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school, including Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, Marketing, Technology and Engineering Education, and Trade and Industrial Education. Explore the possibilities with your child on the FCPS CTE webpage.

Meal Kits for Fasting Students

Through 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. 

  • 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.

Register to Attend the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge

food


The Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge will be held Saturday, February 28, beginning at 9:30 a.m., at Hayfield Secondary School. 

Area students participating in family and consumer sciences electives are invited to participate in the challenge. Student teams create a delicious and healthy school meal that meets USDA school meal requirements and reflects the rich cultural traditions in our school communities. Recipes will be judged by a panel of local celebrity chefs.

The event will include a live streaming of teams presenting their recipes to the judges, a public tasting of student dishes (at 11:40 a.m.), and a chef demo with a local celebrated chef and restaurateur. The culinary challenge is free to attend, but registration is required. Find more information at Real Food for Kids.

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.

No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for All High School Students

Is your student experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, you may refer your child for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.

Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs and Career Building Workshops

Students (especially those ages 16 and over) who are seeking jobs should attend the Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs and Career Building Workshops, hosted by Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity and Springfield District School Board Member Sandy Anderson. Opportunities include full-time, part-time, and seasonal employment, as well as volunteer opportunities, internships, and more!

The Teen Job Fairs and Career Building Workshops will take place on Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Chantilly High School, and on Saturday, March 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at West Springfield High School.  Teens should be prepared to engage with potential employers. Wearing business-casual attire and bringing a resume is encouraged, but not required. Resume workshops will be available. Register to attend.

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