2025-26 FCPS School Calendar

• June 9: 6th Grade Promotion, 6:00 pm, Herndon MIDDLE School
• June 10: PreK Graduation
• June 10: Field Day
• June 11: 6th Grade Celebration
• June 17: Early Release at 2:00 pm, ALL Students, Last day of school
• June 19: Juneteenth Holiday, School and Office Closed
• July 3: 4th of July Holiday, School and Office Closed
• August 20: Back to School Bash, 5:00-7:00 pm

• August 24: First day of school for the 2026-27 school year.

• September 17: Back to School Night
  
  Be sure to bookmark the 2026-27 School Year Calendar.

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Message from Principal Vereb 

🐝 Principal Inside the Hive | Celebrating Growth, Planning Forward, and Finishing Strong

This week was filled with opportunities to celebrate our students, support our staff, and continue planning for the future of Herndon Elementary School.

We began the week with a Title I Principals' Collaborative focused on our Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) and School Improvement Innovation Plan (SIIP). These important conversations help ensure that our decisions remain grounded in student needs and aligned with our commitment to continuous improvement. I also had the opportunity to participate in discussions with FCPS Facilities and our architectural team as we continue planning for the next phase of our renovation project. Together, we are working to ensure safe, efficient spaces that support learning while preparing for increased enrollment and future growth. Recent planning meetings continue to focus on classroom transitions, construction timelines, and creating welcoming learning environments for students and staff as the project progresses.

One of the highlights of my week was spending time with students through both our third-grade Lunch Bunch and Mentoring Lunch Bunch. These conversations continue to be some of my favorite moments as principal. Listening to students share their ideas, experiences, and hopes for school helps guide our work and reminds us that strong relationships remain at the heart of everything we do.

On Tuesday, I had the privilege of attending the Region 1 Family Liaison End-of-Year Celebration to surprise and recognize Mrs. Raquel Snyder for her remarkable 10 years of service to Herndon Elementary School. Mrs. Snyder's dedication to our families, students, and community has helped build strong partnerships that make our school a special place. We are grateful for her contributions and wish her all the best as she approaches retirement.

Wednesday brought several opportunities for learning and celebration. We welcomed Mrs. Neicy Semper, Director from the Equity Office, who facilitated professional learning for our staff focused on the power of words and creating environments where every student feels valued, respected, and included. The session reinforced the importance of helping students understand how language can impact others and how schools play a critical role in building communities of belonging. The professional learning emphasized teaching, restoring, and building understanding rather than shaming, while helping students use language that promotes dignity and respect.

That evening, our students shined during our Spring Strings, Band, and Chorus Concert. It was wonderful to see the growth, confidence, and talent our students have developed throughout the year. Thank you to our performing arts staff for providing such meaningful opportunities for students to perform and showcase their hard work.

Throughout the week, our leadership teams continued important planning for next year, including preparations for our Inclusion Leadership Team, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) goal setting, and literacy planning. These efforts ensure that we continue building strong systems that support every learner.

On Thursday evening, Mrs. Holliday and I enjoyed cheering on our students at the End-of-Year Performing Arts Concert. Watching our Bees perform with confidence and pride was a wonderful reminder of the many ways students grow both inside and outside the classroom.

We closed the week by completing our final SOL assessments, analyzing student performance data, planning for literacy instruction next year, and interviewing candidates for our Spanish Immersion program. I am incredibly proud of our students for their perseverance and effort throughout the testing season. While we are excited to celebrate accomplishments, we are equally focused on learning from our results and continuing to strengthen opportunities for every student.

As we approach the final days of the school year, I remain grateful for the partnership between our families, staff, and community. Together, we continue creating a school where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow.

Thank you for all you do to support our Bees. 🐝💛

With gratitude,

Monika Vereb

Principal, Herndon Elementary School

📸Snapshots from Principal Vereb

STEAM Teacher, Mike McHenry Receives Educate Fairfax Grant 

Students using new cardboard cutting devices in the STEAM lab.

Herndon Elementary STEAM won its first Educate Fairfax Grant titled: “Hands on Prototypes: Cardboard creations in the STEAM Lab”

STEAM teacher, Mr. Mike McHenry, with the help of administrative assistant Jenn Flora, who he referred to as the "brilliant financial brain", and the help of the PTA, was able to use the grant to purchase 12 child-safe, cardboard cutting devices. According to McHenry, "These cutters are pretty quiet, safe to touch while running, and very effective cardboard cutters! Students used these devices to transform their ideas and drawings into 3D cardboard designs. Our hope is for these devices to be available in our library MakerSpace and Art rooms after renovations. Until then, students will learn to safely use them in the STEAM Lab!" 

6th Grade Promotion
June 9

Dear 6th grade Parents,

Our Herndon Elementary 6th Grade Promotion will be held on June 9 at 6:00 pm at the Herndon MIDDLE School auditorium for family and friends.  

Our Annual 6th Grade Celebration is for students only. It will be held during the school day on June 11.  Please watch for information from the 6th grade committee.

Field Day, June 10
Volunteers Needed!

Our annual Field Day will be held Wednesday, June 10! Please remind your children to wear SNEAKERS, not sandals, and clothes appropriate for being on the field. They will need to bring water bottles. Also, they may want to bring a change of clothes for after their session.

We would love to have you volunteer! This is now a quick and easy 2-step process for every volunteer:

Step 1: Register here first.

Step 2: Then, click the Field Day SignUpGenius to choose your time slot.

Calendar Reminder

As a reminder, the last day of the 2025-26 school year is Wednesday, June 17. ALL students at Herndon ES will be dismissed 2 hours early at 2:05 pm. See the complete school year calendar.

Report cards will go home in students' backpacks.

Summer Office Hours

9:00 am-12:00 pm

Closed June19 and July 3

Please call 703-326-3100 for an afternoon appointment or email:

Jenn Flora at jhflora@fcps.edu

Information available on our website

herndones.fcps.edu

Thank you and have a great summer!

Digital Wellbeing Toolkit for Parents 

Digital wellbeing means maintaining a healthy and balanced relationship with technology.

FCPS promotes using technology in a way that helps keep your mind, body, and emotions healthy. This includes balancing screen time, being safe and responsible online, and thinking about how your time on digital devices affects how you feel.

Check out the FCPS Media Balance and Well-being Guide for parents, today!

Herndon ES Yearbooks for Sale

Yearbooks were sent home yesterday in the Thursday folders only for students who purchased them. 

You can still buy your Herndon ES yearbook in the main office!  The deadline has been EXTENDED to June 17 or while supplies last.

1. $15.00 each
2. Submit order online through www.myschoolbucks.com.
3. Cash accepted (exact amount required)
4. Checks accepted payable to Herndon Elementary School

Class Pictures

Did you miss the chance to order your child’s class picture? We have some extra class pictures for sale in the office, while supplies last. The cost is $14, and you can pay with cash or check (payable to Herndon Elementary).

Paying by cash? Exact amount required. The office cannot make change.

Questions? Please call Ms. Perez at 703-326-3101.

HES Renovation Breakfast Menu
5/28 - 6/17 2026

Exciting updates are coming to our kitchen! While renovations are underway starting May 28th, we’ll be serving a modified menu. You can find the revised meal schedules below.

Monday - Friday: Bagel w/ Cream Cheese, Assorted Cereal, Assorted whole fruit and/or fruit juice.

Daily Milk Options: Unflavored Fat-Free or Unflavored Low-Fat
Daily Cereal Options: Cinnamon Chex, Blueberry Chex,
Honey Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch 25% Reduced Sugar

• Whole fruit options: Apple, Orange, Banana, Pear
• 100% Juice options: Orange Tangerine, Apple
• Condiments: Cream Cheese, Natural Grape Jam

HES Renovation Lunch Menu
5/28 - 6/17 2026

Monday: Cheeseburger or Chickenless Bites w/ Roll
Tuesday: Crispy Chicken Sandwich or Vegan Burger
Wednesday: Chicken Tenders w/ Roll or Chickenless Bites
Thursday: Cheeseburger or Vegan Burger
Friday: Chicken Tenders w/ Roll or Chickenless Bites w/ Roll

Monday - Friday:

PB&J Power Pack, Yogurt Power Pack, Baby Carrots, Assorted Vegetable,
Assorted Fruit, Apple Crisps

Daily Milk Options: Unflavored Fat-Free, Unflavored Low-Fat or Flavored Fat-Free

• Vegetable options: Baby Carrots, Cucumber Slices, Broccoli, Cherry Tomatoes,
Red Pepper Strips, Corn
• Fresh fruit options: Apple, Orange, Banana, Pear
• Condiments: Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, Ranch Dressing

HES Countdown to Summer!

Click here to read the text in English.

Haz clic aquí para leer el texto en español.

FCPS News

FCPS Summer Resources!

The FCPS Summer Resource Guide has activities and tips on a variety of subjects and interests, from camps and activities to health and safety resources. 

Be sure to check back during the summer, as more resources may be added.

Learning Doesn’t Take a Vacation — and Neither Does Fun!

Summer is the perfect time to help your student explore new interests, reinforce concepts, and stay engaged! FCPS’ Summer Learning webpage offers ideas and strategies for families to keep students curious until August. 

Register Today for Summer Camps and Enrichment Programs

Registration closes Friday, June 5, for summer camps and learning opportunities offered to all students by FCPS. Offerings include Career and Technical Education camps, Institute for the Arts camps, and Production Camp. 

FCPS Puzzle Hunt Is Live! 

The third annual Fairfax County Public Schools Puzzle Hunt is open to solvers of all ages and is a great way to keep students and families engaged in fun, creative problem-solving during the summer. It also teaches bike and pedestrian safety and encourages active transportation. Sign up for the Puzzle Hunt!

Summer Meals for Students

Starting Monday, June 22, no-cost meals will be provided to students on a first-come, first-served basis at the sites and times listed on the FCPS Summer Food Service Program webpage. Students must remain on site while eating their meals.

This year, thanks to generous support from Educate Fairfax, families may also receive one no-cost breakfast and lunch per adult at the following elementary schools: Braddock, Dogwood, Glen Forest, Hutchison, Hybla Valley, and London Towne.

Summer sites will continue to be added, so check the Summer Food Service webpage regularly for updates.

Summer Immunization Events for All FCPS Students

Inspire Health Alliance, in partnership with FCPS, will be providing school-required immunizations this summer. Immunizations will be provided at no out-of-pocket cost to students or families. Registering families will be required to provide insurance information, if applicable, but students without insurance may still participate.

Visit the FCPS and Inspire Health Alliance Student Immunization Events webpage for dates, times, and locations. Additional event dates will be shared four to five weeks prior to the event and posted on the webpage. Additional immunization resources are also available. 

Community News

Herndon Youth Soccer Programs
In-Person Registration 
Summer and Fall 2026

🚨 SUMMER and FALL REGISTRATION OPEN Register!

IN PERSON REGISTRATION

WHEN: June 6, 2026 (Saturday)

TIME: 10:00AM-12:00PM

WHERE: Hutchison Elementary @ Park

First Touch Academy: Spring, Fall, Summer Winter, 3-5 years old

Summer League: June to August, 6-18 years old

Competitive Soccer: Year Round, 6-19 years old

Community Soccer: Fall and Spring, 6-19 years old

Elite Development: Pre-Competitive Bridge Program, Fall and Spring, 6-12 years old.

Register: herndonyouthsoccer.org

Football Camp at
Herndon High School

July 11, 2026

9:00 am - 12:45 pm

Herndon High School Field

Come have fun learning football with our varsity players and coaches.  This is for ages 9 - 13 years old.

What to expect:

• Drilled by the pros
• Fun challenges and skills
• Snacks and hydration provided
• Intro to Herndon Football

Register today here!

These materials are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or this school.

Herndon Elementary School 

Please help support Herndon Elementary by checking our Amazon Wishlist each week. 

Amazon Wish List  

Consider sharing the link with your families and school community. We are grateful for your partnership!

🐝Herndon ES Kindergarten Registration Open
2026-27 School Year

A child may enter kindergarten for this coming school year if he or she turns five on or before September 30, 2026.   

If you have not registered your child, we are scheduling appointments for all rising kindergartners.  We have Spanish translators in the office and can arrange for other languages as well.  Please contact Shermin Sirajudin, our Student Information Assistant, by email at ssirajudin@fcps.edu or by phone at 703-326-3100.

Visit the Herndon ES registration webpage for more details.

District 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:
    • Calendar Survey
    • Summer Resources
    • Deadline to Request Accommodations for SAT School Day

    Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.  

Follow the Herndon Elementary renovation progress which is located on the FCPS website by clicking here.

Administration E-mail:

• Principal, Monika Vereb mgvereb1@fcps.edu 
• Assistant Principal, Elizabeth Baxter eabaxter@fcps.edu 
• Assistant Principal, Daphne Holliday daholliday@fcps.edu
• Assistant Principal, Kelly Cosgrove kmcosgrove@fcps.edu

📸(Left to Right): Mrs. Cosgrove, Dr. Vereb, Mrs. Holliday, and Mrs. Baxter

Do you know a Herndon Elementary staff member who goes above and beyond or turns the ordinary into something extraordinary? If so, click here to nominate them for FCPS Cares and help us share their story.

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630 Dranesville Rd. Herndon, VA 20170  | Main Office: 703-326-3100
Attendance: 703-326-3131 | Web | Twitter | Facebook