PUMA PRESS – School News & Information: March 19, 2026

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PUMA PRESS – School News & Information: March 19, 2026


Important Dates

  • March 25 : 3 hr Early Release - Students dismissed at 1 pm 
  • March 27 : End of Quarter, 2hr Early Release,Students dismissed at 2pm 
  • March 30- April 3: Spring Break
  • April 10 : Teacher Workday- No School for Students 
  • April 21 : Election Day- No School 
  • April 23 : Rescheduled Picture Day 
  • April 29 : 3 hr Early Release - Students dismissed at 1 pm 

Fairfax County Public Schools 2025-2026 Standard School Year Calendar


Message from the Principal

Good afternoon Powell Puma Families: 

As we move through March, we are looking forward to the first day of spring this Friday, March 20. The arrival of spring is always a welcome milestone in our school year. It brings longer days, warmer weather, and renewed energy for learning and growth.

With the change in season also comes a growing sense of excitement across the building as we are now about one week away from Spring Break. Students and staff are continuing to work hard and stay focused as we finish this stretch of the school year.

Please note that this Friday, March 27 will also be an early release day, so students will be dismissed earlier than usual. We appreciate families planning ahead for this adjusted schedule.

Classrooms continue to be filled with engaging lessons, creativity, and collaboration. The arrival of spring is also a wonderful reminder of the growth we see in our students each day as they build new skills, deepen their understanding, and continue to flourish academically and socially.

As the weather begins to shift, please remember to send students to school dressed appropriately for outdoor recess, as we plan to enjoy as many opportunities outside as possible.

We look forward to a wonderful start to the spring season with our students and families.

Sincerely,

Catherine Han

Principal


We Want Your Feedback! Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Questionnaire

On Monday, April 6, parents and guardians of Colin Powell will receive an email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and provides an opportunity to share anonymous feedback about our school’s leadership and environment.

Topics covered in the survey include:

✅ Instructional leadership

✅ School climate

✅ Management (human resources and organizational)

✅ Communication and community relations

✅ Culturally responsive and equitable leadership

✅ Professionalism

The questionnaire will be open April 6 - April 19 and will be collected online. When you receive the email from noreply@fcps.edu, please take a few minutes to complete it. Your input is valuable and helps shape the future of our school. Thank you for your time and feedback!


Picture Day! NEW DATE April 23rd

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. 

Picture day

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-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!


Baroody

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.

Baroody

Military Family Field Day for MOMC

Military Family Field Day for MOMC (Register by March 27.)FCPS will celebrate the Month of the Military Child with a good, old-fashioned field day! All military-connected families with FCPS students are invited to a special field day to honor our military-connected children at Annandale High School on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 12 - 2 p.m.  

This is an opportunity to connect with other military families across the Division to play games and create crafts. Food/beverage will be available for purchase to support various FCPS school clubs and organizations.  

Monoth of Military child

Family Engagement Survey

  • 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.


Measles

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


Community Conversations

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: 

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.


Special Education Family Conference

2026 Special Education Family Conference banner

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.


Special Education Awards

2026 Awards Recognizing Special Education SupportersNominations are open for the 2026 Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) Awards, which recognize educators, staff, volunteers, and community members who go above and beyond to support students receiving special education services. The annual program celebrates individuals across Fairfax County Public Schools who demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusion, support, and student success.

Honorees may include teachers, instructional assistants, administrators, therapists, volunteers, and other community members who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of students and families. Nominations are open through Friday, March 27, and can be submitted online.

Award recipients will be recognized at the SEPTA Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 2, where families, educators, and community members will gather to celebrate those helping build more inclusive and supportive school communities. Registration details for the ceremony will be announced at a later date.


Black History Month Event

  • Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgQqXLPzB9g&t=1s
  • 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

Kindergarten student

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:

  1. Determine eligibility. 
  2. Identify your local school. 
  3. Gather documents. 
  4. Fill out forms. 
  5. Schedule an appointment (the student and one caregiver must be present).

Read more about the registration process


SYA

SYA SUMMER MULTI-SPORT CAMP

  • Dates: June & July

  • Duration: Half & Full Day options

  • Target Ages: Grades 1–3 and 4–6

  • Location: SYA Sports Park

  • Registration Website: syasports.org

SYA

 

SYA Multi-Sport Clinic


  • Date: April 19, 2026

  • Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

  • Target Audience: Grades 1–6

  • Registration Website: syasports.org

SYA

The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition)

Presented by Centreville High School Theatre Department / Theatre Centreville

Show Dates & Times

  • April 17th: 7:00 PM

  • April 18th: 2:00 PM

  • April 18th: 7:00 PM

  • April 19th: 2:00 PM

Ticket Information

Ticket

Summer Learning

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.

EIA

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

  • Winter Sports Champions
  • Parent Acknowledgement of Course Requests
  • Last Chance to Take the Family Engagement Survey