IMPORTANT INFO. & EVENTS
Senior Families - Please return all library books, textbooks and other class materials to the main office. Your assistance in getting these materials collected promptly is appreciated.
New Cellphone Policy Starts July 1
On Thursday, May 7, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). The approved changes include updated guidance for cellphone possession and use, to align the FCPS cellphone policy with Senate Bill 108. This new Virginia law goes into effect on July 1 and states that all schools in the Commonwealth must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.
This means that starting July 1, 2026, across all grade levels at FCPS, student cellphones, phone accessories, and all smart devices (including watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored (i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day — thus, no cellphones from bell to bell.
High school students will no longer be able to use cellphones and personal devices during lunchtime. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage.
Other SR&R Changes for the 2026-27 School Year
Visit the FCPS website or the School Board agenda to learn about additional updates, including:
- Added guidance and procedures for in-school and out-of-school suspensions and discipline investigations, including supports for students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
- Expanded guidance and standardized disciplinary procedures (“Universal Grade Matrices”) related to harassment, hate speech, discriminatory behavior, and Title IX reporting requirements.
- Responses to incidents involving intimate images, fighting, physical aggression, object throwing, and drug policy violations.
Madison Summer Office Hours will be from 9am to 1pm, with the exclusion of the week on June 29- July 3, office will be closed for the July 4th holiday.
STUDENT SERVICES & TESTING
Senior families, last chance for an opportunity to win a private box for graduation at DAR!!!
On Friday May 22, our All Night Grad (ANG) committee will be conducting a raffle for a private box (holds 5 seats - tickets not included) to Madison High School’s graduation at DAR Constitution Hall. In order to have a chance for this amazing prize your senior student must have purchased a ticket to ANG. It is not too late to get your name in the mix for an opportunity to win. If you need to purchase a ticket to All Night Grad please use this link: All Night Grad information.
SOL Testing
Our school-wide SOL Testing Days are this week on Tuesday (5/19) and Wednesday (5/20).
Testing Locations were emailed to students on Thursday, May 14 from Mrs. Frate. Please ask your student to check their email. Students should report directly to their testing location or assigned study hall on both mornings. As a reminder, students must test on their FCPS Chromebook. If they do not have a FCPS device, loaners will be available.
Cell phones and other electronic devices that can transmit, receive, photograph, or record information are strictly prohibited during testing. This includes, but is not limited to, phones, airpods/earbuds, headphones, smart watches and Meta glasses.
If your student is not testing and is planning to arrive after the testing block, they will need to enter through Door 1 for security screening. Please make sure they take this into consideration when arriving at school.
We will have a modified bell schedule on both May 19 and 20. The schedule is available on the Madison website.
Dual Enrollment
If you signed up for a Dual Enrollment (DE) class for next year, please read the attached letter and use the below hyper-linked resources on how to apply for accommodations at NOVA as 504 Plan or IEP accommodations do not automatically transfer to NOVA DE classes. The is due by June 1, 2026
Students with a 504 Plan or IEP who have signed up for Dual Enrollment classes for the upcoming school year should apply for accommodations with NOVA between April 15 and June 1, 2026.
504 Plan or IEP accommodations do not automatically transfer to NOVA DE classes.
Securing accommodations before school starts avoids delays in receiving support. While students can apply anytime, the beginning of the school year creates a massive waiting list with NOVA's Accommodations and Accessibility Office. This will delay a student's ability to receive accommodations on time and to use for upcoming assessments. FCPS has no influence on the speed a student receives accommodations, so students and parents should not delay this process with NOVA.
Accommodations are not retroactive. If students wait until after a failed exam to apply, NOVA does not permit grade changes or assessments retakes with accommodations.
Students need to complete the process accessing myNOVA and must have any required documentation ready to submit through the online platform.
NOVA Accommodations & Accessibility Website
Accommodations Process
NOVA Accommodations Contact Information
FCPS Dual Enrollment: Student Rights and Responsibilities
The College Admissions Playbook: How to Get in, Pay Less, and Stress Less by Princeton Review, May 19, 7:00pm, Virtual Event
Topics to include: What matters most in college admissions right now, how to find the right-fit beyond rankings, smart strategies to manage and reside college costs. Register here.
Year Up United Job Training Programs:
Class of 2026, Your Career Starts Now: May 19, 7:30pm-8:30pm, Virtual Event
For graduating seniors to learn more about career opportunities through the Year Up program. During this session, students will learn how they can: Start a professional career in as little as 6 months, gain in-demand skills employers are actively hiring for, earn a monthly stipend while training, access internship opportunities with leading companies. Register here.
Coalition for College: Financial Aid for Families, May 20, 8:00pm-9:00pm
Hear from financial aid experts from Coalition member colleges about navigating aid requirements and making informed decisions. Register here.
Harvard Veritas Preparatory Program Opportunity: Grades 9-12 Veritas Debate Institute (VDI) Informational Webinar, May 21, 7:00pm. RSVP here.
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VDI is a weekly out-of-school gifted study program that teaches college-level skills and subjects, including philosophy, political science, economics, debate, and more. Students train for one year in preparation for a summer residential debate program at Harvard University, where they study and compete alongside hundreds of gifted and talented youth from across the globe.
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Eligibility: Veritas is a multicultural program open to all students regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic background. Veritas targets high-achieving students with a strong interest in the social sciences (politics, history, law, humanities, debate, public speaking, etc) and have aspirations to attend the top-ranked colleges & universities in the world.
- As Veritas expands to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area this year, FCPS has been selected as a partner district to help identify high-achieving students.
Six Colleges Alumni Panel, D.C., May 21, 6:30pm-7:45pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 5th floor, 901 G. St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Hear more about Amherst C, Bowdoin C, Carleton C, Pomona C, Swarthmore C, Williams C. Register here.
ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
View the Warhawk Sports website for upcoming Athletic Events
Concorde District info - www.concordedistrict.com
Northern Region info - www.novahsathletics.com
Madison Athletics info - www.warhawksports.org
Madison Athletic Boosters - www.warhawkboosters.com
2025-2026 Athletic Participation Requirements UPDATE: Click HERE
Ticket Info:
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Warhawk Athletic Student Pass: $70 for all regular season home events. Purchase HERE
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Regular Season games/events ticket prices: Students = $5 & Adults = $7
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Post Season games/event ticket prices: Students = $5 & Adults = $10 (District & Region) States = $12
- Acceptable payments at the gate: Cash or Credit Card (no Apple Pay or tap payments accepted)
- To save time at the gate, advanced tickets can be purchased here.
- Advanced tickets for away games can be found here
Wednesday, May 20th- Choir Pops Concert- 6:30 First Set- Solos, 7:30 Second Set-Choirs and Solos, JMHS Auditorium
LOOKING AHEAD
May 25: Memorial day No School
May 26: Teacher Workday No School
May 27: Holiday No School
June 9: Graduation at DAR
FCPS DIVISION MESSAGES
Student Bus Passes Offer Free Transportation
All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the pass, fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year. Learn more about the Student Pass and access the application, which can be returned to the front office.
Additionally, our students can ride Metrobus for free. Visit the Fairfax County website for details and approved Metrobus routes and to access the application.
Children 12 and younger ride for free on the Fairfax Connector with a paying adult.
Bus Discount Program for Adults
Fairfax Connector’s Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) provides 50% off fares for low-income residents ages 18-65. Learn more about the TRIP program and how to apply.
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Update
On Friday, May 8, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget. FCPS receives the majority of its funding from the Fairfax County Government and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Fairfax County Government recently adopted its FY 2027 Budget, and at the funding levels provided, there is currently a $28 million budget gap. In addition, the state budget has not been finalized. At last Thursday's School Board meeting, the superintendent proposed adjustments that would balance the FCPS budget.
Read Dr. Reid’s message to the community for more information on the budget process and budget priorities.
Finish the School Year With Strong Attendance!
As we enter the final weeks of the school year, Fairfax County Public Schools appreciates your continued partnership in supporting your child’s success. Regular attendance plays an important role in helping students stay engaged in learning, maintain connections with their teachers and peers, and finish the school year strong.
Attending school consistently also helps students build valuable habits such as responsibility, perseverance, and daily routines that support success both in and out of the classroom.
If your child needs to miss school, please remember to report the absence. Full-day absences can be reported in ParentVUE. Families may also report absences by calling the school attendance line or emailing the school-designated attendance address.
If your child is experiencing challenges that are affecting attendance, we are here to help. Please contact your child’s school so staff can partner with you to provide support and resources. Learn more about attendance resources.
FCPS NEWS/IN CASE YOU MISSED IT (ICYMI)
FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- 2027 Budget Updates
- New Cell Phone Policy
- Stay Up-to-Date with the Mobile App
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
JMHS Website
2025-2026 School Calendar
Reporting an Absence
Academic Policies and Forms (Information tab)
JMHS Academic Advising Page
Parent Technology Help Desk
Varsity Tutors, no cost for FCPS students
Archived Editions of This Week at Madison (TWAM)
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