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March 20: Eid-al-Fitr - Student holiday
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March 25 : 3 hr Early Release
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March 27 : End of Quarter, 2 hr Earlt Release
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March 30- April 3: Spring Break
Fairfax County Public Schools 2025-2026 Standard School Year Calendar
Good afternoon Powell Puma Families,
As we move further into March, we can feel the excitement and energy building as we approach spring break. Our students continue to work hard, and we are looking forward to making the most of these final weeks before the break. As we head into the weekend, we wanted to share a few highlights and reminders as we look ahead to the coming week.
Pi Day – March 14
Tomorrow is Pi Day (3.14), a fun opportunity to recognize the importance of mathematics and the role it plays in everyday life. Moments like this are always a great reminder of the curiosity, problem solving, and critical thinking that our students engage in each day.
St. Patrick’s Day – March 17
Next week we will also enjoy a little St. Patrick’s Day spirit around the building. While the day will remain focused on learning, classrooms may incorporate small themed activities or read-alouds connected to the holiday. Students are welcome to wear green on Tuesday!
Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. We are grateful for the strong collaboration between our school and families that helps make Powell such a special place for our students.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend with your families.
Warmly,
Catherine Han
Principal
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!
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.
It's time! 🎉 Registration for Baroody Camps' enrichment at Colin Powell is officially OPEN! From STEM and sports to arts and cooking, our programs are packed with activities that keep kids engaged, learning, and having a blast after the school day ends.
📅 Registration closes March 29th—don't wait!
🔗 Sign up and find full program details here: bc-ffx-colinpowell.jumbula.com/spring-2026
📩 Questions? Contact us at info@baroodycamps.com.
- FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Monday, March 9, to Monday, March 23. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools.
Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment.
- Communication.
- Student success.
- Advocacy.
- Family and school partnerships.
- Community partnerships.
The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link via email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.
Fairfax County Health Department Measles Update
Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects 9 out of 10 people who are exposed, if unvaccinated or not immune. It has been in the news lately due to cases in Northern Virginia and among people who have traveled through local airports.
If your spring break or summer plans include traveling abroad or to an area in the United States with high measles activity, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages you to ensure your family is protected. Children 12 months and older should have 1 or 2 doses before traveling. Depending on your specific travel plans, your health care provider may also advise you to vaccinate infants 6 to 11 months old. Read more about these recommendations.
The National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week is March 8 to 14. The observance highlights the critical link between sleep and health, both physical and mental. Read more about sleep health and sleep strategies you can try at home.
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 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.
 2026 Special Education Family Conference: RescheduledFCPS’ 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marshall High School. Updated conference details are now available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage. Please register for the event. If you registered before, please re-register for the new date. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this date change may cause and appreciate your understanding.
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Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgQqXLPzB9g&t=1s
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Rooted in Resilience, Echoes of Excellence: FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month CelebrationThe spirit of heritage and the promise of the future filled the air at Carter G. Woodson High School as FCPS held its second annual Black History Month Celebration with the theme, Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence. This year’s event was especially significant as it coincided with the 100th anniversary of the movement that became Black History Month.
Students from across the division took center stage as the true "echoes" of this excellence. The program featured student-led Moments of Pride that connected local and national history to contemporary achievements. Vernon Walton, senior pastor at the First Baptist Church of Vienna, delivered a spirited keynote speech. Another highlight of the night was the FCPS Black Excellence video tribute.
Read more about the Black history event.
 Countdown to Kindergarten: Supporting a Smooth Transition
Is your child heading to kindergarten this fall? Join FCPS staff for Countdown to Kindergarten, a virtual event designed to help families prepare for this exciting transition! The webinar will take place on Friday, March 27, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
During this webinar, families will learn practical tips and essential information to support their child's smooth and successful start to kindergarten in Fairfax County Public Schools. Register to receive the event link.
Kindergarten Registration
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment (the student and one caregiver must be present).
Read more about the registration process.
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students
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.
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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