From the Principal's Desk

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Included in this issue:

 

Student Spotlight

  • Science Olympiad
  • Student Services Field Trip to GMU
  • Cultural Celebration

Staff Spotlight

  • Joaquin Perez named Secondary Teacher of the Year for Region 5

Calendar Reminders

  • Quarter End, Early Release, and Spring Break
  • Office Hours during Spring Break
  • Saturday School Dates
  • Calendar Update - No School April 21st

Fairfax Lions Need to Know:

  • Weather Safety
  • FCPS Budget
  • Student Services Reminders

Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:

  • FCPS Summer Internship Program
  • City of Fairfax Community Cleanup - Volunteers Needed!
  • New Menu Items
  • Quick Links

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

March 30 - April 3: Spring Break, No School

April 6: Teacher Workday, Student Holiday

April 10: School Planning Day, Student Holiday

April 21: Student Holiday, No School due to the Virginia statewide election

April 30: Opening Night, FX Players Presents: Something Rotten, 7:00pm, Auditorium


 

March 27, 2026

 

What a week to be a Lion! As we head into Spring Break, I am reflecting on the incredible energy that filled our halls during one of my favorite annual traditions: The Fairfax High School Cultural Celebration. Seeing our students share the rich diversity and heritage that makes our community so dynamic is always a highlight of my year. It is a powerful reminder that our differences are truly our greatest strength.

Celebrating Excellence: Joaquin Perez

I am absolutely elated to announce that our very own Joaquin Perez has been named the Region 5 Outstanding New Teacher of the Year! Joaquin’s story is a special one; as a Fairfax graduate, he walked these same halls as a student before returning to his alma mater to serve as an ESOL teacher. His kindness, compassion, and the authentic connections he builds with his students are undeniable. Please join me in congratulating Mr. Perez on this well-deserved honor!

Looking Ahead: Quarter 3 & Spring Break

We have officially reached the end of Quarter 3. I have watched our students work tirelessly this week to wrap up final assignments and projects. They have certainly earned this time off.

I wish all of our families a wonderful Spring Break filled with rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Whether you are traveling or enjoying a "staycation," I hope you find time to unplug and recharge.

The Final Stretch

When we return, the "countdown" begins in earnest. We will be heading straight into:

  • SOL Testing Prep
  • AP Exam Readiness
  • The Class of 2026 Graduation

Enjoy the break, Lions 🦁😎 We look forward to seeing everyone back on campus refreshed and ready for a strong finish to the school year!

Principal's Signature

Student Spotlight


Science Olympiad

Congratulations to the Fairfax HS Science Olympiad Team for their 3rd place finish at the State Tournament on Saturday!

Medal winners were:

1st place:

  • Adel Al Jumaily and Tristan Morgan (Electric Vehicle)

2nd place:

  • Ferdaws Darzabi and Bao Tran (Bungee Drop)
  • Giselle Shin and Amber Zhu (Entomology)
  • Ameya Rajeev, Grayson White, and Amanda Zhu (Experimental Design)
  • Peter Choi and Chelsy Park (Helicopter)

3rd place:

  • Peter Choi and Chelsy Park (Boomilever)
  • Candice Cheung and Giselle Shin (Water Quality)

4th place:

  • Seokjin Han and Bao Tran (Chemistry Lab)

5th place:

  • Minh Nguyen and Ameya Rajeev (Dynamic Planet)
  • Candice Cheung and Amber Zhu (Forensics)
  • Ferdaws Darzabi and Chelsy Park (Hovercraft)
  • Tristan Morgan and Bao Tran (Materials Science)

6th place:

  • Peter Choi, Ameya Rajeev, and Amber Zhu (Codebusters)

See the full results:

2026 Virginia Science Olympiad State Tournament Results


Student Services Field Trip to GMU

University field trip

 

As a Direct Admissions partner with Fairfax HS, George Mason University hosted 54 of our students on campus this week. The day included a campus tour, all-you-can-eat lunch, and an Admissions information session. The weather was beautiful, and the students really enjoyed the experience. Thank you, George Mason, for a great time!


Cultural Celebration

cultural celebration 1cultural celebration 2cultural celebration 3

Photos courtesy of Sara Chae


Staff Spotlight

New Teacher of the Year presentation

 

Congratulation to Joaquin Perez, Multilingual Language Teacher at Fairfax High School, for being named the 2026 Region 5 Outstanding New Secondary Teacher!! He is now an FCPS Outstanding Award Finalist for the end of the year awards in June. Well deserved!! 


🗓️Calendar Reminders

Quarter End and Early Release - Happy Spring Break! 😎

Spring Break

 

Friday, March 27, is the last day of the third quarter and early release for students. Fairfax HS will release at 12:55pm.

Spring Break🌷

Schools will be closed March 30 to April 3 for spring break. Monday, April 6, is a teacher work day and there will be no school for students. Tuesday, April 7 will be a BLUE day for FHS.

Schools will also be closed Friday, April 10, for a School Planning Day.

We wish our students and teachers a happy and restful Spring Break! 

See the complete FCPS school year calendar.


FHS Office Hours over Spring Break

Office Hours

During spring break, the Fairfax HS main office will be open 9AM - 1PM, Monday-Friday. 703-219-2200.


Next Saturday School is April 11th

Saturday School

 

The next Saturday School is being held April 11th. 

**Please note there will be NO Saturday School on March 28 or April 4 due to spring break.**

No signup required, and snacks are provided, but transportation is on your own. Students should enter the building at Door 1, check in at the Security Desk, and report to the Library. 

Please see the remaining SS dates below:   

April 11, 18, 25

May 2, 9, 16, 23

June 6 

These dates may change, so keep an eye on this space for updates.


Calendar Update - No School April 21st

FCPS Calendar Logo

April Statewide Election: No School for Students

There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled. 

Fairfax County Public Schools will still exceed the required number of instructional hours for students, as set by the Virginia Department of Education.


Fairfax Lions Need to Know:


⛈️ Weather Safety 

At FCPS, the safety of our students, staff, and visitors is our highest priority — no matter the season. In extreme cold, we monitor National Weather Service (NWS) guidance, adjust outdoor activities, and ensure our buildings are warm and secure. In extreme heat, we modify or cancel outdoor activities, use on-site measurements to guide athletic decisions, and promote hydration and cooling breaks. 

FCPS has plans in place to provide guidance during severe weather, including storms, flooding, and tornadoes. Decisions are informed by industry best practices, weather alerts, and a commitment to keeping our school community safe and healthy year-round. Read more about weather safety, including the differences between an advisory, watch, and warning.


FCPS Budget

Provide the County Government With Feedback on its Budget

About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors is reviewing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Advertised Budget and considering possible adjustments before adoption in May. Opportunities to provide feedback to the county include Budget Town Hall Meetings airing on Channel 16 on Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m., (Springfield District) and Friday, April 10, at 6 p.m., (Franconia District).

You can also provide your input during the county’s Budget public hearings on Tuesday, April 14, at 4 p.m., and Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16, at 3 p.m. at the Government Center Board Auditorium. Register in advance to speak

Visit the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors website to learn more about the county’s FY 2027 Budget. 


Student Services Reminders

Important Dates and Deadlines

  • No Course/Elective Change Requests: Monday, March 30, 2026, to Friday, May 8, 2026
  • Course/Elective Change Requests (based on space available): Monday, May 11 to Friday, June 5, 2026

No course/elective changes will be permitted after June 5, 2026. 


Fairfax Lions Nice to Know: 


FCPS Summer Internship Program

Summer Internship Program

 

The FCPS Summer Internship Program is a six-week, paid, in-person opportunity for FCPS high school students and recent alumni enrolled in post-secondary education. The program will run from Monday, July 6, to Friday, August 14. It offers hands-on work experience across central office departments. 

Interns will work alongside professionals on projects that help prepare FCPS for the upcoming school year. They will learn about current trends in fields including AI and emerging technologies, business and finance, architecture and construction, communications, safety and cybersecurity, and education and advocacy as well as participate in weekly professional development workshops.

Job descriptions, details, and the interest form (which should be completed by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 10) are available on the Summer Internship webpage. Watch a video about last year’s Summer Internship Program and follow @FCPSInterns on Instagram.  


City of Fairfax Community Cleanup

Community cleanup sign

 

Fairfax City's annual Spring Community Cleanup is now open for volunteer registrations! This is a great opportunity for middle school and high school students to get service learning credit!

Day: Sunday, April 19, 2026

Time: 9AM - Noon

Where: Van Dyck Park, 3720 Blenheim Blvd.

Upon arrival, volunteers should sign in at the pavilion and will be directed to a cleanup location across the city, or they can join urban forestry staff to remove invasive plants along the trail at the Belle's Bird Sanctuary. 

Pre-registration is required for this event at fairfaxva.gov/communitycleanup. Choose your time and location, get outside, earn volunteer hours, and Make a Difference!

Registration closes a week in advance to ensure staff can assign locations to volunteers.


🥗 New Menu Items!

Discover What’s New on the Menu

FCPS is excited to bring new and flavorful menu items to students while continuing to meet the high nutrition standards you trust. The school division’s registered dietitian team has developed standards to make school meals healthier while still tasting great.

Here’s what students can look forward to:

  • New globally inspired dishes that offer exciting flavors from around the world.
  • Fresh ingredients like whole grains, lean proteins, and plant-based options.
  • Scratch-made items like homemade granola.
  • Vegetarian options like the meatless Philly melt are available alongside classic favorites.

Our goal is to provide balanced, safe, and flavorful meals that support students’ learning, growth, and overall health.

Want to know what’s on the menu? Food and Nutrition Services has menus available. 


Quick Links


FCPS Cares

Do you want to celebrate a Fairfax employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way? Or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.


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