 Dear Jackson MS Families,
I hope this message finds you well! As we head into Spring Break, I wanted to take a moment to share a few updates and reminders from here at Jackson.
March has been full of energy and excitement, especially with our “Beat the Bell” tardy challenge. It has been wonderful to see students making the effort to arrive on time and start their day strong. We are proud of their commitment and the positive momentum this has created across the building.
I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our parent volunteers who helped make the 7th grade field trip to the D.C. monuments such a memorable and successful experience. Your time and support truly make a difference, and we are so grateful.
As Spring Break begins, I wish all of our students and families a fun, relaxing, and safe break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready to finish the school year strong together.
Please keep these important upcoming dates in mind:
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Friday, March 27 – End of 3rd Quarter (2-hour early release)
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March 30 – April 3 – Spring Break (School Closed)
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Monday, April 6 – Teacher Workday (Student Holiday)
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Friday, April 10 – School Planning Day (Student Holiday)
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Tuesday, April 21 – Election Day (School Closed due to polling locations)
The entire 2025–2026 FCPS Calendar can be found here.
Thank you for your continued support of our school. Enjoy the break, and we will see you soon!
Warm regards,
Megan Sherrill, Principal
Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.
Jackson Middle School students will participate in state assessments, known as Standards of Learning (SOL) tests, this spring. The subjects tested include Mathematics, Reading (with an Integrated Reading and Writing component for Grade 8), and Science (for Grade 8).
Jackson Middle School Testing Schedule (7th & 8th Grade)
Please mark your calendars for the following testing dates:
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Grade 8 Integrated Reading and Writing (IRW): Monday, March 23rd
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Grade 8 Science: Monday, May 4th
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Grade 7 & 8 Mathematics: Monday, May 11th
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Grade 7 & 8 Reading: Monday, May 18th
Retest Information and Required Parent Consent
The state allows students in elementary and middle school who do not pass a spring SOL test to have one retest opportunity before the end of the school year. The only exception is the Grade 8 Integrated Reading and Writing (IRW) component.
Parent/guardian permission is mandatory for any student in grades 3-8 to be retested.
Please submit your decision regarding retesting consent through one of the following methods:
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Parent Digital Consent Application: Log in using your SIS ParentVUE account.
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Online Form (if you do not have a SIS ParentVUE Account): Complete the form here: online form.
Please note that a decision to not allow retesting will not negatively affect your student's course grade or academic record.
Luther Jackson is on social media! Check out our Facebook and Instagram @lutherjacksonms for all things LJ.
On-Time Attendance
If you drop your student off at school, make sure that they do not have to rush and arrive late to school. Help our students develop the habit of being punctual. Also encourage your student to arrive at each class on time. Arriving late is a classroom interruption and distraction for the teacher and all students.
We will begin to reinforce our school’s tardy policy, which includes tardy sweeps, detention, and parent contact for repeated tardiness. We will also recognize punctuality with fun incentives for our students. Thank you for your support.
Updated Attendance Codes
Attendance Codes have been updated for the 2025-26 school year. These updates will allow schools to better identify the primary reasons for student absences, which will help school teams identify patterns of absenteeism, make informed decisions, and develop effective strategies to improve attendance. Please note which codes qualify as “Excused” and which are “Unexcused.”
Codes no longer used:
- EXC-Excused
- PRE-Prearranged Absence
- UNL-Unexcused Local
Updated Code:
- MED-Illness or Injury Related
Excused Codes:
- COL-College Visit
- FAM-Family Emergency
- FRL-Funeral
- LGL-Legal Obligations
- MAP-Medical Appointment (Prescheduled)
- MIL-Deployment Related
- OEX-Other-Excused
Unexcused Codes:
- NON-Non-School Activity
- OUN-Other- Not Excused
- VAO-Vacation, Outing, or Non-Emergency Family Travel / Visit
When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school. This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282.
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.
Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
📋 Permission Forms
Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool.
Director of Student Services, Nick Zubieta onzubieta@fcps.edu
NEW: Parent Acknowledgment - Course Requests for Next School Year
As the Academic Advising and Course Selection period draws to a close, we want to ensure all families feel confident about their child's educational path. To facilitate this, we would like to highlight a new feature in SIS ParentVUE that allows parents and guardians to easily review and acknowledge their student's course requests for the 2026-27 school year. We understand that this process can sometimes bring questions, and we encourage you to contact your school directly for support or assistance
Instructions:
- Log into your ParentVUE account.
- Navigate to the Course Request module.
- Review your student’s course request list for next school year.
To complete the acknowledgment:
4. Navigate to the Student Info module.
5. Click Edit Information.
6. Locate the Course Request Acknowledgment field.
7. Update the acknowledgment field to Yes to confirm review.
8. Click Save Changes.
Acknowledgment Window:
March 16, 2026 – March 27, 2026
Families have until March 27, 2026 to review and acknowledge course requests via this new feature.
  Tickets on sale now for our spring musical, The Wizard of Oz. Come out and see this timeless classic and support the cast & crew of over 90 students as they bring the fantastical world of Oz to life! The show is Thursday, April 30th 7:00 pm, Friday, May 1st 7:00 pm and Saturday, May 2nd 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm. Tickets available online $6 and at the door for $8. There will also be tickets sold during all lunches the week before the show.
Save the date: Friday, May 15, 6-8:30 p.m.More details here
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her 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. on:
Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
2026 Special Education Family Conference
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School.
Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.
Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.
2026 Awards Recognizing Special Education Supporters
Nominations 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.
Phones Off, Learning On
FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students focus, learn, and engage. When students put their phones away, they have more face-to-face interactions with their peers and teachers and more opportunities to develop resilience and problem-solving skills. Please remind your child that:
- Cell phones and personal devices (earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell).
- Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.
If you need to contact your child during the school day, please call our front office at (703) 204-8100. Visit our cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
Science Olympiad Success at UVA! 🧪🏅
This past Saturday, our team competed against 26 schools across the state at UVA and earned an impressive 8th place overall!
🥉 Bronze Medalists:
- Sean Fan & Hannah Young – Heredity
- Sean Fan & Hari Bala – Entomology
- Aaron Liu & Vihaan Patel – Water Quality
🏅 4th Place Finishes:
- Benjamin Chung, Elias Yoo, Elijah Zhen – Experimental Design
- Elijah Zhen & Samantha Liu – Potions & Poison
- Elias Yoo & Sean Fan – Remote Sensing
Amazing work, Tigers! 🐯
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CTE Summer Academy is a weekly enrichment program that allows students to dive deeper into CTE program areas, and encourages skill development and career exploration.
Students choose 4 classes each week they participate and learn new content, discover interests, and build their skills.
New to 2026! We’re offering after care!
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Location - Robinson SS
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Transportation from select FCPS schools is provided!
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Cost - $300 per week
Back for 2026 programs, we will be offering tuition assistance. More information on our webpages.
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Dates -
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Week 1: July 6 - 10
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Week 2: July 13 - 17
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Week 3: July 20 - 24
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Week 4: July 27 - 31
New to 2026! We’re offering a 4th week of our programs!
Students will choose four (4) classes each week to build their own specialized summer learning program. Courses are available in all CTE program areas: Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical, Marketing, Technology and Engineering, and Trade and Industrial.
Classes offered through CTE Summer Academy are introductory and do not require previous knowledge of the content.
For the list and schedule of classes being offered, please visit our webpage!
Registration is open from February 2 to June 5, 2026.
Students can register online by visiting the CTE Summer Academy webpage and clicking on the register button.
Visit the CTE Summer Academy webpage: bit.ly/FCPS_CSA for more information! Capture this year’s memories with our school yearbook, featuring highlights from events, clubs, sports, and everyday moments. Don’t miss out on this keepsake your student will treasure! Go to this link to purchase your yearbook today.
Upon return from Spring Break, April 7–9 will be competition/academic clubs only or for students staying with a teacher. Late buses will be available.
Tuesday April 14 will also only be for competition/academic clubs.
VIP Summer Camp – Rising 7th & 8th Graders
VIP (Value in Prevention) Summer Camp is open to rising 7th and 8th grade students and offers five weeks of fun, active summer programming. Students will participate in sports, games, art, STEM activities, and team-building experiences while building friendships and leadership skills in a positive environment.
Please see this link for more information and details about our camp at Glasgow this summer.
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 Registration is open for Oakton Dance Team's Junior Dance Camp!
The Oakton High School Dance Team’s annual Junior Dance Camp will be held June 29 - July 1 (Mon-Wed) from 8:30-12:30 at O akton High School. Camp is open to rising 1st-8th graders from any school. Participants will learn choreography and technique with Dance Team members and will have the opportunity to perform at the end of camp on July 1st! Campers will also do a craft and team-building activities each day. Register by June 18th to get a camp t-shirt included with your registration. Questions? Contact: kmrowley@fcps.edu For more information and to register: bit.ly/ohsjuniordancecamp2026.
Oakton High School Dance Team hosts Junior Dance Camp!
Who: Rising 1st-8th graders When: Mon -Wed June 29 - July 1, 8:30am-12:30 pm Where: Oakton High School What: dance, perform, craft, and have fun! Questions: kmrowley@fcps.edu
Registration: bit.ly/ohsjuniordancecamp2026
May 15: Beyond High School: Preparing Twice exceptional Students for College, Career, and Adult Life Through Executive Functioning and Essential Life Skills.
Families will learn strategies to support 2e students in developing executive functioning skills and essential life skills while empowering them to navigate college career, and independent adult life successfully.
Register here for the webinar series
Help Support SOL Snacks Campaign!
The LJMS PTA is partnering with the school to collect donations of snacks (granola bars) and mints that will be provided to students during SOLs this year! We need up to 2,750 snacks to cover all students. Please help us support this initiative by purchasing snacks off of this Amazon Wish List by Friday, April 17. All snacks and mints ordered off of the list will be sent directly to the school. Thank you so much for your support! Please email pta@jacksonmspta.org with any questions.
Five Guys Restaurant Night Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by Five Guys last Thursday for our restaurant night fundraiser! We really appreciate your support!
LJMS Parents Are the Pulse of the PTA! Many thanks to our Faculty Fairies that have provided treats this year—we’ve never seen teachers so happy to start their week! It’s a blessing to receive, but an even bigger blessing to give (if you have the means). We still have some empty weeks ahead to fill, and every effort—big or small—means the world to our teachers, staff, and custodians. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844A8AB22A6FFC34-57969538-faculty#/
Support and Help With LJMS Heritage Celebration Night!
Volunteers are needed to help with LJMS' Heritage Celebration Night on Friday, May 15! If you are able to help with food/hospitality and/or logistics and set-up, please contact Philip Kim at pkim@fcps.edu! Thank you for your support of this community event!
Join the PTA Board and Committees for the 2026-2027 School Year
If you're interested in serving on the LJMS PTA Board or a LJMS PTA committee for the 2026-2027 school year, please email pta@jacksonmspta.org as soon as possible!
Help Support SOL Snacks Campaign!
The LJMS PTA is partnering with the school to collect donations of snacks (granola bars) and mints that will be provided to students during SOLs this year! We need up to 2,750 snacks to cover all students. Please help us support this initiative by purchasing snacks off of this Amazon Wish List by Friday, April 17. All snacks and mints ordered off of the list will be sent directly to the school. Thank you so much for your support! Please email pta@jacksonmspta.org with any questions.
Five Guys Restaurant Night Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by Five Guys last Thursday for our restaurant night fundraiser! We really appreciate your support!
LJMS Parents Are the Pulse of the PTA! Many thanks to our Faculty Fairies that have provided treats this year—we’ve never seen teachers so happy to start their week! It’s a blessing to receive, but an even bigger blessing to give (if you have the means). We still have some empty weeks ahead to fill, and every effort—big or small—means the world to our teachers, staff, and custodians. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844A8AB22A6FFC34-57969538-faculty#/
Support and Help With LJMS Heritage Celebration Night!
Volunteers are needed to help with LJMS' Heritage Celebration Night on Friday, May 15! If you are able to help with food/hospitality and/or logistics and set-up, please contact Philip Kim at pkim@fcps.edu! Thank you for your support of this community event!
Join the PTA Board and Committees for the 2026-2027 School Year
If you're interested in serving on the LJMS PTA Board or a LJMS PTA committee for the 2026-2027 school year, please email pta@jacksonmspta.org as soon as possible!
Chromebook damage, procedures, and replacement costs
Students will receive a warning for the first instance of damage to a Chromebook as long as the case is on and the damage was not intentional. If the case is off or the damage was intentional, then they will be required to pay for the damage on the first offence. When this happens, Mr. Waldren will inform the student that they will be restricted to using a classroom loaner laptop in each class. He will also let the student know that he will email their administrator about the incident. The student's administrator will then meet with the student and contact their parents. If the student is required to pay for the damage, they will receive a replacement Chromebook after they pay for the damage. Pricing for damage and replacement Chromebook costs is listed below.
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HP Chromebook Parts
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Cost
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Chromebook replacement
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$601
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Screen
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$90
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Charger
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$30
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Case
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$34
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Keyboard and palm rest
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$37
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System Board
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$190
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Touchpad
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$22
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Daughterboard
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$17
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Top Cover
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$23
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Bottom Cover
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$17
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Bezel
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$18
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Speaker
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$46
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Webcam
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$25
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WiFi Card
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$19
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Lightspeed Parent Portal parent controls
FCPS has enabled new parent controls within the Lightspeed Parent Portal to support families in managing screentime on FCPS devices. Parents can now manage their child's access to YouTube as well as pause web browsing on district-issued devices, during designated "After School Hours" while students are off the FCPS network.
These parental controls are only active Monday-Friday from 3:30 PM to 6:00 AM, and all day on weekends and student holidays when students are off the FCPS network. Parental controls do not interfere with district filtering policies during the instructional day. Parents can register for the Parent Portal using the link provided in their weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email.
For more information about the Parent Portal, please visit the Lightspeed Parent Portal page on the FCPS website.
The "Discrimination and Harassment: Let's Talk" platform is an essential tool that allows anyone within our school community to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or other concerning behaviors confidentially. More information about the platform, including how to access and use it, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/submit-discrimination-and-harassment-report.
Families,
We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources
At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here:
https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/is01/r/pdcp/
. You can find further direction here: a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.
Need technical support? Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
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