|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Included in this issue:
Student Spotlight
- Junior wins State-level Rotary Speech Contest
- NHS Students build new Bike Racks for FHS
- DECA ICD Conference
- Senior Nights - Lacrosse, Tennis, Track & Field
Staff Spotlight
- Rotary Teacher of the Year Nominee
Calendar Reminders
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Mental Health Awareness Month
- Jewish American Heritage Month
- Speech and Language Hearing Month
- School Lunch Hero Day, May 2
- End-of-Year Testing and Exam Schedule
- Saturday School Dates
Fairfax Lions Need to Know
- Attendance Matters
- Family Information Phone Lines
- Student Services Info
- Office of the Ombuds is here to Help
- Senior Parent Night Link and Slideshow
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
- Fairfax Physical Night Athletic Training Fundraiser, May 4
- FX Players Presents: Something Rotten
- Mental Health Services
- Summer Extravaganza
- District News / In Case You Missed It
- Quick Links
 |
|
Upcoming Events
May 2: Prom, Pearl Street Warehouse, DC
May 25: Memorial Day Holiday, No School
May 26: Teacher Workday, No School
May 27: Religious & Cultural Observance Day: Eid al-Adha, No School
June 3: Graduation, 8:30am, Stalnaker Stadium - NO School for 9/10/11 grades
|
Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8
Our Fairfax Teachers are PAWSOME!! 🐾🦁
May 1, 2026
Happy Friday, Fairfax Families,
May has officially arrived, and with it, the final countdown to the end of the school year. While the finish line is in sight, these next few weeks represent a critical time for our students to showcase their hard work and dedication.
Testing & Wellbeing
SOL testing began this week, and our halls are filled with a sense of focus as students prepare for both SOL and AP exams. To our students: you have put in the work to get here. Now, it’s time to trust your preparation.
To perform your best, please remember to:
-
Rest: Prioritize a full night’s sleep to keep your mind sharp.
-
Fuel Up: Don't skip breakfast or lunch; your brain needs the energy.
-
Keep Perspective: While these exams are important, do not let stress overwhelm you.
Don’t Miss the Show!
There is "Something Rotten" at Fairfax—and it’s spectacular! This weekend marks the opening of our spring musical. I encourage everyone to grab their tickets and join us for a night of incredible talent and laughter with the FX Players. Supporting our performing arts is a wonderful way to decompress and celebrate our school community.
Celebrating Our Educators
Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week. We couldn’t wait to get started, so the festivities began today with student-made signs and special treats. Our teachers work tirelessly to support student success, and it is a joy to see them recognized for their PAWSome heart and soul.
Finish Strong
As the year winds down, we want every student to cross the finish line with pride. Please take advantage of the many resources available to ensure you are ready for you’re a strong finish:
- Saturday School
- SOL & AP Prep Sessions
- Learning Lounge Supports
- Credit Continuation
Let’s keep the momentum going, Stay focused, stay kind, and let’s finish this year strong!
Junior wins State-Level Rotary Contest
Congrats to junior Isabelle An, who won the state-level Rotary Speech contest, winning $1,000 in scholarship money. She gave her speech last weekend at the state Rotary Convention, in front of hundreds of Rotarians! Well done, Isabelle!!!
NHS Students Build New Bike Racks for School!
Last weekend, National Honor Society (NHS) officer Foster Zinn led a group of NHS students to build bike racks for Fairfax HS. Foster worked with faculty and city government members to make this project happen. So proud of these students and their willingness to make Fairfax HS a more accessible space for our bike riders!
DECA ICD Conference
 |
This week, 25 Fairfax High School DECA students traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, to compete at the International Career Development Conference, joining over 25,000 peers from around the world. Fairfax students excelled in a variety of challenges, ranging from presenting written marketing research projects to industry judges to participating in high-stakes decision-making roleplays and leadership programs. A standout achievement belongs to Neeraj Yelakanti and Aadi Salhotra, who were named international top finalists for their Finance Operations Research project; they collaborated with MainStreet Bank to integrate customer feedback into the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Furthermore, the Fairfax High School DECA chapter earned prestigious recognition for achieving all four of DECA’s Chapter Campaigns in Promotion, Community Service, Membership, and Business Advocacy. We are incredibly proud of these students for their hard work and remarkable achievements on the global stage.
Senior Nights!
BOYS LACROSSE
BOYS TENNIS
TRACK & FIELD
Heather Davids Nominated for Rotary Teacher of the Year award
A shout-out and kudos to English Teacher, Heather Davids, for being nominated as the Rotary Teacher of the Year for Fairfax High School. Between rigorous coursework, sponsoring the Forensics & Speech club, mentoring colleagues, and being an intuitive, focused teacher, she has gone above and beyond in her classroom and department. Congrats, Ms. Davids, and good luck!!
🗓️Calendar Reminders
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month is about more than awareness. It’s about showing up for one another. It provides a chance to stand with your community and show that no one struggles alone. Everyone is invited to speak up against mental health stigma. Learn more about Mental Health Awareness Month on the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website.
Jewish American Heritage Month
May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
Speech and Language Hearing Month
Each May, National Speech-Language-Hearing Month (NSLHM) provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role of ASHA members in providing life-altering treatment.
May 2 is School Lunch Hero Day
End-of-Year Testing and Exam Schedule
 |
|
The FHS End-of-Year Testing and Exam schedule can be found on our school website.
Download the PDF
|
Saturday School is being held May 2
Saturday School is being held May 2nd.
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.
See the remaining Saturday School dates below - Please note there will be no Saturday School on Memorial Day weekend.
May 9, 16, 23
June 6
These dates may change, so keep an eye on this space for updates!
Attendance Matters!
In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at our school — a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
Family Information Phone Lines
FCPS family information phone lines are available in nine different languages. An FCPS employee will respond to your call in your preferred language within 24 hours, Monday through Friday.
Call the phone line with questions about your child’s education or FCPS, and someone will help connect you to resources or arrange for you to speak to the appropriate school employee. Learn more about family information phone lines.
Student Services Info
Student Report Cards
Report Cards for Quarter 3 have been posted to your ParentVue. Any issues with accessing ParentVue, please reach out to Ms. Dennis at dadennis@fcps.edu.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Results Now Available
Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of March, providing information on their SEL skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
Individual student SEL Screener results are now available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, we will share copies with you directly.
For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.
Our Office of the Ombuds is at Your Service!
Ombuds staff engage with FCPS staff, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Ombuds staff do not make or change decisions, policies, or regulations. They do not take sides, and they do not provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may submit a question.
Senior Parent Night Link and Slideshow
Did you miss the Virtual Senior Parent Night? If so, below are the links to the presentation and the recording.
Virtual Presentation Video
Virtual Presentation Slideshow PDF
Any questions, feel free to reach out to Brian Plancich, Senior Administrator (baplancich@fcps.edu) or Ashley Anderson, Director of Student Services (abanderson@fcps.edu).
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
Fairfax Physical Night Athletic Training Fundraiser
The Fairfax Athletic Training Program is hosting our annual fundraiser on May 4th for for Physical Night. Get your physical done here - it will stay on file and will be valid for all next school year! You won’t need to worry about it expiring mid-season. The Cost of the physical would be $50. All proceeds go to buying supplies for the athletic training room to support the student athletes. Use this link to sign up: Fairfax Physical Student Registration
FX Players presents: Something Rotten!
The FX Players of Fairfax High School are proud to present Something Rotten! — the hilarious, high-energy musical comedy that takes you back to the Renaissance with a twist you won’t see coming. Packed with show-stopping numbers, outrageous humor, and plenty of Broadway parody, this is one production you won’t want to miss!
About the show: Set in the 1590s, Something Rotten! follows two struggling playwright brothers who are desperate to outshine their rockstar rival, William Shakespeare. When a soothsayer predicts that the future of theater involves singing, dancing, and acting all at once, they set out to create the world’s very first musical… with wildly chaotic results!
Join us for an unforgettable night of theater as our talented students bring this fan-favorite musical to life on stage. Tickets go on sale starting April 1st at https://www.fxplayers.org/ — grab yours early before they sell out! Come support the arts, cheer on local talent, and enjoy a night full of laughter, music, and pure entertainment!
Something Rotten!, a Fairfax HS Theatre Production
Book by Karey Kirkpatrick & John O'Farrell
Music & Lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick & Karey Kirkpatrick
May 1st - 7pm
May 2nd - 1pm
May 8th - 7pm
May 9th - 1pm & 7pm
Mental Health Services
No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students
Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as:
- Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss.
- Anxiety, worry, fears.
- Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships.
- Academic stress.
Students can be referred by a guardian or designated school staff member. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting an FCPS school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.
Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services
Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports that include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and other services.
Contact CSB Entry and Referral to get started by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Additional Mental Health Resources
FCPS has resources available to support your child’s mental health. During after-school hours, parents and students who need additional support can use the 988 Lifeline to get free, confidential guidance from trained crisis counselors on how to best help someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can call or text the number.
Recent reports have shared an 11% drop in suicides among young people since the rollout of 988. Please note, the hotline is not only for those experiencing suicidal ideation (or thoughts), it is also available for any mental health or substance abuse-related crisis and those with a loved one experiencing those crises or suicidal thoughts.
And as always, if your concern is an emergency, you should call 911.
Summer Extravaganza
Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas
Join Fairfax County Public Schools for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM, arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. This year’s Summer Extravaganza takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School.
Explore summer learning resources and connect with FCPS offices and community partners. Don’t miss the Student Market and a full day of engaging activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family.
For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.
District News / In Case You Missed It
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Summer Learning
- Mental Health Resources
- Thank You, Bus Drivers and Food Service Workers
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Quick Links
 |
|
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. |
throughout the year:
|
