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Dear Neighbors,
I hope you all were able to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend, and I hope it continues as we roll into graduation season.
This is such a special time of year where we get to recognize all of the work that our kids have done, especially the graduating class of 2026. I also want to give thanks to our amazing teachers and staff for everything they’ve done for our kids across this past year.
For those wishing to attend, all of the upcoming Braddock District Graduations are listed below.
I loved getting to swing by Washington Irving Middle School's first annual Garden Party, welcome a new principal at Keene Mill, and check out some of our student athletes competing in regional play. I also joined a community boundary discussion for Rolling Valley Elementary School, Middle, and High School Feeders, Keene Mill Elementary School attendance island, and surrounding schools such as White Oaks and Cardinal Forest elementary schools..
In recent weeks, we’ve had several board meetings and a Community Advisory Committee summit, where we heard a range of recommendations from community members who’ve worked all year to analyze data, collaborate with staff, and identify ways we can continue to improve. If you’re interested in serving on a Community Advisory Committee next year, please complete this form.
As always, I welcome any and all inputs from you as I continue to do my best to serve our wonderful community. You can reach me at Braddock@fcps.edu.
Yours in service,
Tom Dannan
Braddock District Representative
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2026! This season is about celebrating you, all the hard work that you've done to get here, and all the great things you will do in the future. Walk across that stage with great pride and know that YOU did it!
Below are a list of graduation dates and times for Braddock District graduations.
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Annandale High School: Monday, June 8, 7 p.m., EagleBank Arena
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Lake Braddock Secondary School: Friday, June 12, 9 a.m., EagleBank Arena
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Robinson Secondary School: Thursday, June 11, 2 p.m., EagleBank Arena
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West Springfield High School: Thursday, June 4, 2 p.m., EagleBank Arena
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Woodson High School: Thursday, June 4, 9 a.m., EagleBank Arena
Please be advised that Eagle Bank Arena strictly enforces a clear bag policy. Only clear bags or small clutches (maximum 5x7 inches) are permitted. For more information on prohibited items and other arena policies please visit eaglebankarena.com.
Irving Middle Schools First Annual Garden Party
Washington Irving Middle School held it's first annual Garden Party last month. This event celebrated the "Horseman Horticulture" program, a cross-curricular, project-based learning initiative for Irving's 8th-grade students.
The kids worked all year to build, experiment with, and maintain indoor hydroponic gardens and an outdoor learning space. Our tour guides were extremely proud of all of their work, and rightfully so. Kudos to the teachers and staff who've worked so hard to help make this possible. My only regret is not finding the two box turtles who've made their home there.
I was part of the Community Boundary Discussion held at West Springfield High School where we talked about the potential boundary adjustments, how the Boundary Study for Rolling Valley Elementary School, Middle, and High School Feeders, Keene Mill Elementary School attendance island, and surrounding schools, such as White Oaks and Cardinal Forest elementary schools, boundaries directly impact these communities, and what the next steps are.
This is something I’m watching closely. There’s no perfect solution, but I’ll be weighing every possible change against the status quo. FCPS has created a feedback form for community members to be able to voice their concerns, continue gathering community feedback, and help evaluate options for a potential boundary change. Completing this feedback form by June 30th will help us evaluate and develop future scenarios, which will be shared with the community at a second meeting in the fall. You can read about this boundary study here.
FCPS Student Leadership Development Program
 Last Thursday, The Fairfax County School Board's Student Leadership Development Program wrapped up with a completion ceremony where participants celebrated all of their hard work and dedication to this program.
This year, the student representative from the Braddock District was Ryan Hembree from Woodson High School. The Student Leadership Development Program is geared towards students interested in a future in law, government, or public policy.
Twelve students are chosen each year to work closely with the School Board to observe how FCPS is governed, submit policy proposals for consideration by their fellow participants, have the opportunity to participate on various advisory committees to the School Board, and even to seek election as the student representative on the School Board. These students also get the opportunity to engage in leadership development by participating in mock forums and work sessions, modeling the work done on the School Board.
Twenty-six Fairfax County Public Schools students won first place awards at the 2026 Virginia Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference held recently in Reston. More than 90 students placed in the top four in their event and qualified to compete in the FBLA National Leadership Conference in San Antonio in June.
In addition, Sienna Wade of Robinson Secondary School was awarded the Marguerite Crumley Scholarship, and Manas Puri of Lake Braddock Secondary School received the Frank Manning Peele Scholarship. Both are Braddock District students.
In total, 196 students from FCPS high schools competed in 72 events ranging from 3-D Animation and Accounting to Cyber Security, Computer Problem Solving, and Public Speaking. FBLA is the largest career and technical student organization in the world. Each year, the organization helps over 200,000 members prepare for careers in business.
Below are all of the winners from the Braddock District:
| Manas Puri: Lake Braddock Secondary |
Data Sicence & AI- First Place
Entrepreneurship- First Place |
| Nathaniel Gu: Lake Braddock Secondary |
Cyber Security- Fourth Place |
| Selena Vu: Lake Braddock Secondary |
Event Planning- Second Place |
| Emma Mathias: Robinson Secondary |
Business Ethics- Third Place |
| Michael Orilla: Robinson Secondary |
Community Service Project- Second Place |
| Patrick O'Connell: Robinson Secondary |
Computer Problem Solving- Fourth Place |
| Mimei Minato: Robinson Secondary |
Digital Animation- Fourth Place |
| Luana Castro Sanchez: Robinson Secondary |
Digital Video Production- First Place |
| Avril Deza-Altahona: Robinson Secondary |
Digital Video Production- First Place |
| Nahomy Pineda: Robinson Secondary |
Digital Video Production- First Place |
| Ruby Goldman: Robinson Secondary |
Foundation's Sarah Lowe Thompson Scholarship- Second Place |
| Ksenia Edwards: Robinson Secondary |
Future Business Leader- Fifth Place |
| Paolo Mascola: Robinson Secondary |
Impromptu Speaking- First Place |
| Aleyda Paz Chavez: Robinson Secondary |
Introduction to Business Communication- First Place |
| Bauer Banchek: Robinson Secondary |
Introduction to Social Media Strategy- First Place |
| Abigail Espinola: Robinson Secondary |
Introduction to Social Media Strategy- First Place |
| Taylor Lindenberg: Robinson Secondary |
Local Chapter Annual Business Report- Fourth Place
Mobile Application Development- Second Place |
| Jackson Stear: Robinson Secondary |
Real Estate- Third Place |
| Annika Cry: Robinson Secondary |
Sales Presentation- Fourth Place |
| Sofia Deras: Robinson Secondary |
Sales Presentation- Fourth Place |
The Hispanic Leadership Alliance (HLA) — a certified employee group of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) employees — presented scholarships to 29 high school seniors, adult learners, and community leaders on Monday, May 4.
Scholarship recipients were recognized for leadership and mentoring skills in their educational and social activities. Candidates are committed to furthering their education while improving their communities.
The scholarship winners from Braddock are:
- Brooklynn Aguilar, Lake Braddock Secondary School, Scholarship for Pre-Law
- Kaiely Morales Campos, West Springfield High School, West Springfield Hispanic Student Association Scholarship
Thirty-one students from 12 Fairfax County high schools have been named winners of $2,500 scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Scholarship winners are part of a group of approximately 2,500 National Merit finalists chosen to receive scholarships in 2026 primarily financed by the NMSC.
Braddock District Winners of the scholarships, with their probable career fields in parentheses, are:
- Manas Puri (business economics), Lake Braddock Secondary School.
- Ethan Lee (biochemistry), Woodson High School.
- James Ngo (computer science), Woodson High School.
 Students at Canterbury Woods Elementary School recently experienced a live orchestra in a way they never thought possible. During a special instrument petting zoo, students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) used cutting-edge technology to feel a live performance in real-time.
Woodson High School senior Maia, a student leader in the Woodson Orchestra, championed the project alongside her teacher, Devyn Wilcox. They partnered with the nonprofit Music: Not Impossible to bring twelve specialized vibrotextile harnesses to the event. These sophisticated wearables include a harness, wristbands, and ankle bands that deliver vibrations in eight distinct areas of the body. This allows students to feel the sounds of instruments in distinct ways, like the deep thrum of a cello or the sharp rhythm of a violin.
 Last month, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services held its “Taste of FCPS” event that was an enthusiastic and energized representation of the care and importance of providing an inclusive, nutritious, and fun menu for our students. The FNS office in Fairfax County Public Schools is a financially self-supporting, nationally recognized child nutrition program. FNS is committed to ensuring ALL students, regardless of food allergies, medical conditions, or with cultural and philosophical dietary preferences have access to healthy food in our schools.
Did you know that our produce is all sourced from local farms and that lunches offered in FCPS are required to meet the nutrition standards for Fairfax County, and are guided by dietitians from the USDA? Our cafeteria staff who work the registers are also trained to count the food groups for each tray in order for meals to be considered “reimbursable”; meaning that if a child only selects 2 food groups, the staff at the register encourages them to select another food group item in order to meet the reimbursement criteria. That is how our FNS members are paid. This event helped showcase how our FCPS meals help expose students to diverse and nutritious foods to help highlight the importance of a healthy diet to help support their learning and growth.
 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.
 A summer enrichment and skills development program for students currently in grades 6-11
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a weekly enrichment program that allows students to:
- Dive deeper into Career and Technical Education (CTE) program areas
- Develop new or existing skills
- Begin career exploration
Students can personalize their experience by choosing which CTE classes they will take!
Classes offered through CTE Summer Academy are introductory and do not require previous knowledge of the content. By participating in our summer enrichment program, students will have a better understanding of the CTE electives offered through FCPS.
 The Solving Fun Puzzle Pals have been busy getting ready for the 3rd Annual Fairfax County Public Schools Puzzle Hunt, and it kicks off in only three weeks!
This free event is open to solvers of all ages and is a great way to keep students and families engaged in fun, creative problem-solving over the summer. It also teaches bike and pedestrian safety and encourages active transportation.
New this year: The school with the most solvers will win a special visit from Sue Doku! Sign up for the Puzzle Hunt!
FCPS Adult and Community Education Announces Expanded Skilled Trades Scholarship Opportunities for Fall 2026
FCPS Adult and Community Education (ACE), with support from the ACE Foundation and private donors, is offering $1,000 scholarships for Skilled Trade Apprenticeship courses in Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC.
The scholarship application window runs from June 15, 2026, through August 15, 2026, with awards applied directly toward tuition for approved FCPS ACE trade courses.
The initiative reflects FCPS ACE’s continued investment in workforce development and expanding access to career training in high-demand industries.
“At least $40,000 is available to support students pursuing careers in the skilled trades this fall,” said Paul Steiner, ACE Administrator. “We are grateful to the ACE Foundation and our donors for recognizing the importance of workforce development programs that strengthen our community while helping students gain valuable, career-focused skills.”
According to Bob Sargent, Educational Career Counselor with FCPS ACE, these scholarships are often the deciding factor that allows students to begin training.
- Students interested in applying can learn more here
- Community members interested in supporting the scholarship program can donate through the ACE Foundation through this link
Colleges and Universities Still Accepting Applications 🎓
The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has released its annual College Openings Update. This voluntary listing features NACAC-member postsecondary institutions that are still accepting applications from prospective first-year and transfer students for the fall 2026 semester.
Students and families are encouraged to use this tool to search for colleges that still have space available. Users may narrow down the list of schools by state and view whether a school still has financial aid and available student housing. Please note that this list is updated daily.
Additionally, NACAC has created a waiver request form for enrollment deposit fees that some institutions will consider for students experiencing significant financial hardship. Learn more about the enrollment deposit fee waiver and eligibility. Students and families may contact their school counselor and college and career specialist with any questions.
Students who still need assistance applying for federal or state financial aid can schedule a free appointment with our partners at College Access Fairfax by emailing appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org. Support provided by your school or College Access Fairfax is free.
New Advanced Swimming & Lifeguard Certification Course Coming This Fall 🏊♂️
Fairfax County Public Schools will offer a new course, Advanced Swimming and Lifeguard Certification, for the 2026-27 school year. This course will be open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and will be held at Skyview High School. Students from all FCPS high schools are eligible to enroll.
Students enrolled in the course will have the opportunity to take the lifeguard certification test in spring 2027. Those who successfully pass will earn American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification, including deep water certification.
Information about transportation between base schools and Skyview High School is being finalized and will be shared once it is available. Directors of Student Services will begin enrolling students by June 1. If your student is interested in this opportunity, please encourage them to speak with their school counselor.
Please Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance
It’s a busy time of year, and we know many priorities are on your plate. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to check your student’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families who earn less than 185% of the poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FRM). However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2026-27 school year will be available this summer.
If you have a current balance and think you may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2025-26 school year.
Immunizations 💉
Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and Rising 12th GradersThe following immunizations are required for students entering 7th and 12th grade each school year.
All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- To meet the Tdap requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 7 or older.
- To meet the MenACWY requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.
- To meet the HPV requirement, the vaccination should be given between the ages of 11 and 12 or as early as 9 years old.
- As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child will not receive the HPV vaccination. The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student not to receive the HPV vaccination.
All students entering 12th grade are to receive two doses of the Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) prior to the beginning of school. To meet the MenACWY 12th grade requirement, one dose must be administered at age 16 or older.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. Please consider getting your child’s immunizations early so that they can attend school in the fall. Summer is a busy time for families and health care providers. As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.
Immunization Events for FCPS StudentsFCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations.
Dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents/guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are also available.
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 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.
From Your Braddock District Supervisor
Dear Neighbors,
I’m very excited to share that the Braddock Nights Summer Concert Series and our Children’s Arts in the Park Series are almost here! We’ll be kicking things off on June 26 in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority and their supporters, and this year’s lineup is bursting with energy and variety. Get ready for crowd‑favorite tribute bands, the beloved Kings Park Band, one of the last neighborhood bands of its kind, plus blues, rock, and even the vibrant sounds of a live Mariachi band!
We’re also excited to bring back a special treat for our youngest residents. The Children’s Arts in the Park Series will run on Saturday mornings from June 26 through August 21, offering fun, creative, and memorable summer moments for families.
Be sure to mark your calendars and check out the full schedule!
And keep an eye out for details on our Braddock District Battle of the Bands, happening August 14 and 21! If you know any young musicians eager to take the stage, we’d love to hear from them, have them reach out to my office at 703‑425‑9300 or braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov.
In Service,
Rachna Sizemore Heizer
Braddock District Supervisor
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The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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