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April 21 : Election Day- No School
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April 23 : Rescheduled Picture Day
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April 29 : 3 hr Early Release - Students dismissed at 1 pm
Fairfax County Public Schools 2025-2026 Standard School Year Calendar
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.
FCPS will offer lunch and a snack at no cost to children aged 18 and under on Tuesday, April 21, at participating schools. The meals must be eaten on site, and enrichment activities will be available for the children. For more information, visit the FCPS Food and Nutrition Services webpage.
Support your student(s) in being successful on their SOLs with consistent and on time attendance each day! Please review the schedule below to ensure your students ready for the day! If you have specific questions, regarding testing dates contact your student’s teacher or the school test coordinators, Hope Song khsong@fcps.edu and Sanaz Hosseini shosseini2@fcps.edu
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Mark your calendars! Here are the SOL testing dates for Colin Powell:
- G3 Reading - Thursday, May 7
- G3 Math- Monday, May 18
- G4 Reading - Thursday, May 7
- G4 Math- Monday, May 18
- G5 Reading - Wednesday, May 6
- G5 Science - Friday, May 15
- G5 Math - Tuesday, May 19
- G6 Reading - Wednesday, May 6
- G6 Math - Tuesday, May 19
Expedited retakes: Thursday, May 28 – Wednesday, June 3
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State Assessments, Grades 3-8
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Students in grades 3-8 participate in state assessments each year. State assessments measure how students are learning grade level standards. Format and timing of state assessments vary by subject and grade level. See the table below. Test formats include:
- Standards of Learning (SOL) mathematics, science, and reading standardized tests with an integrated reading and writing (IRW) component;
- Ongoing local alternative assessments (LAAs) completed as part of classroom instruction in science and social studies;
- Growth assessments completed as part of classroom instruction using the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) for mathematics and iReady for reading.
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Grade Level
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SOL Subjects
(Spring)
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LAA Subjects
(Ongoing)
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Growth Subjects
(Fall, Winter, Spring)
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3
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Mathematics, Reading
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Science, Social Studies
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MAP Math, iReady Reading
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4
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Mathematics, Reading
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Social Studies
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MAP Math, iReady Reading
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5
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Mathematics, Reading with IRW, Science
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Not applicable
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MAP Math, iReady Reading
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6
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Mathematics, Reading
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Social Studies
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MAP Math, iReady Reading
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7
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Mathematics, Reading
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Social Studies
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MAP Math, iReady Reading
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8
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Mathematics, Reading with IRW, Science
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Social Studies
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MAP Math, iReady Reading
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More information about these assessments can be found on the webpage: SOL Tests in Elementary and Middle Schools (https://www.fcps.edu/node/42716). The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/50045) outlines the division testing schedule for required assessments at each grade. School staff will contact you with the specific dates your student is scheduled to take spring SOL tests.
The state allows elementary and middle school students who fail a spring SOL test to have another attempt before the end of the school year. Retests are not offered for the integrated reading and writing (IRW) component. Parent/guardian permission is required for the school to retest any student in grades 3-8. A decision not to allow retesting will not impact your student’s course grade or academic record.
If you believe your student would benefit from a second opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills on the spring SOL test, submit your decision using the Parent Digital Consent application (https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent). This application uses your SIS ParentVUE login. If you don’t have a SIS ParentVUE Account, you may complete and return a paper form to the school to give permission for retesting. Paper forms are available in the front office.
If you have questions about state assessments or about SOL retesting, contact your student’s teacher or the school test coordinators, Hope Song khsong@fcps.edu and Sanaz Hosseini shosseini2@fcps.edu
Elementary Early Release Wednesday Update for Tuesday, April 21, is now a teacher workday and staff development day because of a recently announced special election that will impact all FCPS schools.
Students will now have a traditional full day of instruction and be released at the regular dismissal time on April 22 and April 29, which were previously early release Wednesdays for elementary schools.
This adjustment allows our staff to still have dedicated time for planning, collaboration, and professional learning without reducing instructional time on other school days.Read Dr. Reid’s letter to elementary parents for more details.
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!
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.
Come out & celebrate what makes our school community so unique! Diversity Night will take place on Friday, May 8th from 5:30 - 7:30pm. Here is the Registration Link: Signup
We are looking for volunteers to help with the event! If you have a high school aged student who needs service hours, please email Carsen Leeder at cbleeder@fcps.edu for more information.
Help FCPS Sustain Excellence: Make Your Voice Heard on the FY 2027 BudgetAbout 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. There are several upcoming opportunities to provide feedback to the county on its budget before final adoption in May. This includes public budget hearings (April 14-16) and an online survey. Learn how the FCPS budget helps us sustain our excellence.
Halfway Through Journeys and Themes in Language Arts
We are halfway through Benchmark Unit 6 in Language Arts! Across grade levels, students have explored stories involving quests, challenges, and problem-solving.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: Which character has been your favorite from this unit and why?
- Activity: With your child, brainstorm a brand-new invention to solve a problem, like shoelaces that tie themselves or a clothes dryer that folds clothes. Ask your child to tell or write a story about someone using the invention.
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.
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 it 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.
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.
FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Support Military Children
- National Merit Finalists
- School Board to Present Budget to Board of Supervisors
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