Week of May 4

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Herndon Success Spotlight



Seniors Celebrate Decision Day with Brunch

pictures of the Senior Celebration Brunch

Herndon’s seniors gathered on Friday, May 1, 2026, to mark Decision Day with a festive Senior Celebration Brunch featuring music, prizes, and commemorative t-shirts. Students enjoyed a spread of bagels, breakfast burritos, snacks, and juices while celebrating their future plans in an atmosphere of excitement and fun.


 Dr. Reid Joins Herndon for Cinderella Premiere

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FCPS Superintendent Dr. Reid visited Herndon to attend the opening night of *Cinderella*, celebrating the school's vibrant performing arts community. During the event, Director Scott Pafumi noted that this production was a historic milestone in his 30-year career, as it marked the first time he successfully brought his entire "hallway of colleagues" together for a single show.

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In This Issue:



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Calendar



May 04-08: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

May 04-15: AP Exam, 7:45 am or 11:45 pm, Various Locations

May 06: National School Nurse Day

May 13: Town of Herndon Community Meeting, 7:00 pm, Cafeteria

May 15: Reading SOL (Juniors and Seniors)

May 18: Sports Physicals

Herndon HS Calendar of Events

 

 

 



Events




Attention! AP Exam Information!

AP and CollegeBoard

Please review this presentation for pertinent information that you need to know regarding your student who is taking an AP exam.

Any specific questions, please contact:

Shannon Kamenick, sfkamenick@fcps.edu

Matt Dell’Orso, mldellorso@fcps.edu

Kie Anderson, keanderson1@fcps.edu


💻 SOL Test Schedule – Spring 2026

SOL written on a laptop

Herndon HS Spring 2026 SOL testing: Apr 28–May 1 & May 15–21, 8:10–11:12 AM. Check Securly Flex for assignments; seniors check email. No electronics/appointments on test days. Rules are strictly enforced.

Specific dates and additional information are available on the Herndon website. Questions? Contact Assessment Coach Dr. Karl Gussow at ksgussow@fcps.edu.


National School Nurse Day

National School Nurse Day is Wednesday, May 6. It is a day to recognize the many contributions that school nurses make to student health and learning.  

FCPS appreciates the role of School Public Health Nurses (PHNs) for their contribution to the health and welfare of all our students. Professional school nurses support the needs of students through their delivery of healthcare, contributions to local school communities, and promotion of safety, prevention, and wellness throughout the year. They are advocates who bridge healthcare and education by supporting student health and readiness to learn. School nurses are essential to our community and work tirelessly to make a positive impact in the lives of their students.  

Please join us in thanking Herndon's PHN, Amanda Khu and our School Health Aide, Carevia Davis, for their hard work and dedication to our students.


Town of Herndon Community Meeting

Woman walking on Bennett Street

Improving Streets in your Neighborhood, Bennett Street, in front of Herndon High School.

Please join us for a discussion of the plans and to provide your input!

Wednesday, May 13th, 7:00 pm, Herndon HS Cafeteria. Traducción al español disponible

More info: 703-435-6853 or public.works@herndon-va.gov. The flyer is available here.


FCPS Family Cafe: Introduction to Career Pathways for Students

Join Family and School Partnerships to explore career pathways, academies, and the wide range of courses and certifications available in FCPS. 

This virtual workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m. and will highlight the various career and technical education courses available to middle and high school students in FCPS. Currently, there are more than 160 Career and Technical Education (CTE) course options available to students. Many CTE programs include industry credentials, work-based learning, and career and technical student organizations, allowing students to develop the skills needed to be successful in future education, training, and careers. 

Register in advance for Career Pathways to receive the Zoom link. Email FamilyEngagement@fcps.edu for more information or call 703-204-4300. 


🪩Prom Night: A Night to Remember 

black flyer with Prom in gold

Step into an evening of elegance, music, and memories. Under the shimmering lights, let's celebrate friendship, laughter, and the beautiful journey we've shared. 

There will be a live DJ, prom court, and glam photo spots!

Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 7:00 - 10:30 pm

Washington Dulles Airport Marriott

 


🩺 Sports Physicals

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Herndon's Sports Physicals are on Monday, May 18! Get your required annual physicals done while supporting our Athletic Training Program—this is our only fundraiser for essential supplies.

Cost: $50.

Register here: 2026 Sports Physical Registration

Questions? Contact Lisa Petruzzi at LTPetruzzi@fcps.edu. Additional details.


Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award. This award recognizes an employee, student, or community member who has demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.

Any staff, student, or community member can nominate an individual for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Monday, May 18.  

The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors this award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families. 

Full details and the nomination information form can be found at the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage.


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.Click to edit this placeholder text.

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Information



Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. We All Belong Here!

teacher with a student

 

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


End-of-Year Calendar Now Available 

The Herndon HS End of Year Calendar 2026 for 2026 is now available for families to review. This calendar is an essential resource for planning, as it outlines:

  • Final exam and assessment dates for both seniors and underclassmen.
  • Important dates for senior culminating events and graduation-related activities.

You can access the full calendar here: Herndon HS End of Year Calendar 2026 (Community)


🎓 Class of 2026 Updates

class of 2026

Senior Parents! Time is ticking down til graduation!  Have you completed all the things on the “Senior Parent” list?

Don’t forget to buy your senior’s ticket to the All-Night Grad party! The ANG Party will feature games, a casino, a Smoothie bar, entertainment, a money machine, and of course RAFFLES!!! Go to herndonang.org/tickets to order. Students on Free/Reduced lunch attend free, but must turn in a permission form that can be found on the ANG website.

Also at https://herndonang.org/:

  • Enter a weekly raffle to win VIP tickets at graduation. Don’t want to fight for close-up seats? This is your chance to win EIGHT seats nice and close to the floor of the Eaglebank Arena on graduation day. Raffle tickets are $10 for one ticket or 5 tickets for $40. (herndonang.org/vip-grad-seats)
  • Order a yard sign to celebrate your senior! Yard signs are $33 each and are personalized for your student. (herndonang.org/yard-signs)
  • Volunteer to help provide a food donation for the All-Night Grad Party. Part of the ticket covers food and drink for our seniors all night. Sign up to donate at hernang.org/food-donations.
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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.


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.


FCPS News

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


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