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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.
The Dixit Dialogue: Back to School
Looking Forward to a New School Year
Dear Families,
As summer begins to wind down, I hope you and your family have enjoyed time to relax, recharge, and make special memories together. I was grateful for the opportunity to slow down, spend meaningful time with my family, and return feeling refreshed and ready for the school year ahead.
There is always something special about the beginning of a new school year. For some students, August 24 will mark their very first time walking into a classroom. For others, it will begin another important chapter filled with new teachers, friendships, challenges, and opportunities to discover their interests and strengths.
Long before students arrive on the first day, an extraordinary amount of work takes place behind the scenes. Over the past two weeks, I have had the pleasure of visiting several of our schools and seeing their back-to-school preparations and activities firsthand. Thanks to the dedication of our teachers, administrators, office staff, custodians, transportation teams, and employees across the division, our schools are ready to welcome students throughout FCPS.
Families are essential partners in this journey. As both a parent and a School Board member, I understand the hopes, excitement, and occasional nervousness that accompany a new school year. I look forward to working alongside you, hearing what is going well, helping address concerns, and connecting families with the information and resources they need.
To our students: I hope you begin the year feeling curious, confident, and ready to try something new. To our families and staff: thank you for the encouragement, care, and support you provide each day.
Here’s to a wonderful first day of school on August 24 and an exciting year filled with learning, growth, and new possibilities!
In partnership,
Seema Dixit
Sully District School Board Member
Sully District Spotlight
Even though it was summer break, the Sully district was very busy! These are just some highlights from June through the first two weeks of August.
Back to School Checklist
We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!
As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms.
Back to School Checklist
The first day of school is just around the corner! Here are some back-to-school tips and a checklist to make sure your child gets off to a great start!
☑️ Update Immunizations and Records
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy.
When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to your school’s front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
☑️ Learn About School Meals
Families need to provide their children with money to purchase meals at school or send them with a packed lunch.
Families may apply to receive free and reduced-price meal benefits for the 2026-2027 school year. Families who qualify may receive breakfast and lunch for their student(s) at no cost or at a reduced cost.
To apply, the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application must be completed before the start of each school year. To view criteria and up-to-date information on the application process, please see the FRM webpage or reach out to your schools with questions or for assistance.
☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.
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☑️ Join Your School's PTA/PTO
Consider joining the parent teacher organization within your school! These organizations are an essential part of community building within your school.
From supporting teachers, staff, and students well-being in different ways, raising money for school needs, sponsoring student enrichment, helping fund extracurricular activities, and so much more. Being a part of your school's parent teacher organization is a way to positively impact your school.
Below are links to the PTA/PTO/PTSO for each Sully district school.
Pre-K Registration
FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children ages 6 weeks to 4 years living in Fairfax County with economic and educational risk factors.
- The pre-K program prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30.
- Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from expectant mothers and parents/guardians of children 6 weeks to 2 years old.
Space is limited and provided based on need, not on a first come, first served basis. For more information, please go to the PreK and Early Head Startpage on the FCPS website.
If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
PSAT/SAT Accommodations
Request PSAT and SAT School Day Testing Accommodations and Multilingual Support
FCPS high schools will give the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) to 10th and 11th graders on Wednesday, October 7. That same day, 12th graders will participate in SAT School Day.
Because these exams are operated by the College Board, students do not automatically receive testing accommodations or multilingual support. Families can view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about College Board accommodations on the FCPS website.
If you have a student with disabilities in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade this school year, please review the accommodations request process and return forms to the high school by Monday, August 3.
If you have a multilingual learner (ML) entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade this school year, please review the ML support request process and return forms by Thursday, August 27, if you wish to request ML support for the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day.
Find out more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS.
All Your FCPS Links in One Spot
There are a lot of school and FCPS webpages to bookmark, but the FCPS mobile app serves as your central hub!
Check daily meal menus and calendars with no login required, or use one-tap quick links to launch SIS ParentVUE, Schoology, and MySchoolBucks.
Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play today!
Sully Schedule - Save the Date
Elementary Open Houses
Please make sure you check your school's website or newsletter for more details on the open house and any possible schedule changes.
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Brookfield
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Friday, Aug 21st
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3:00 - 5:00 PM
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Bull Run
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Friday, Aug 21st
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10:30 – 2:30 PM
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Centre Ridge
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Friday, Aug 21st
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11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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Centreville
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Thurs, Aug 20th
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11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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Cub Run
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Thurs, Aug 20th
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1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Deer Park
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Thurs, Aug 20th
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10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Lees Corner
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Friday, Aug 21st
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9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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London Towne
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Thurs, Aug 20th
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8:30 - 9:30 AM (Pre-K)
2:30-4:00 PM (K - 6th)
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Navy |
Thurs, Aug 20th
Friday, Aug 21st
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8:30 AM - 12:00 PM (K - 3rd)
9:00 – 11:30 AM: (4th - 6th)
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Oak Hill
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Thurs, Aug 20th
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12:15 - 2:15 PM
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Poplar Tree
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Thurs, Aug 20th
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12:30 – 3:00 PM: (Pre-K)
9:00 - 10:30 AM (K - 6th)
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Powell
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Friday, Aug 21st
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1:15 – 3:00 PM
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Virginia Run
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Thurs, Aug 20th
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1:30 - 3:30 PM
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Secondary Open Houses
Please make sure you check your school's website or newsletter for more details on the open house and any possible schedule changes.
CHS Open House and Back to School Night - August 20th
Chantilly High School is hosting their new student orientation, open house, and Back to School Night on Thursday, August 20th. Please see their website for more information!
Limited Early Release Wednesdays for Elementary Schools
Early release Wednesdays will start in late September 2026. Each elementary school will have four of these early release days throughout the school year, and lunch will be provided.
Early release Wednesdays for elementary schools in the South Lakes pyramid:
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September 30
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November 18
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January 13
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April 7
Early release Wednesdays for elementary schools in the Centreville, Chantilly, Oakton, and Westfield pyramids:
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October 21
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December 2
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February 10
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May 5
*Note: The recently approved boundary for Skyview High School, along with the approved boundary changes for schools in the western pyramids, will take effect beginning with the 2027-28 school year. For the current school year, families should follow the schedule for their pyramid’s current high school.
Learn more and view dates for early release Wednesdays.
New and Noteworthy in 2026
NCS Expands Beyond the Bell Program 2026-2027 School Year
Following the 2025–26 Beyond the Bell pilot program, Fairfax County's Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) — in partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools — will move forward with a phased expansion of Beyond the Bell, beginning with 21 elementary schools during the 2026–27 school year. The expansion is driven by Superintendent Dr. Reid and the Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors, in support of their shared commitment to reduce waitlists and expand school age child care access for Fairfax County families.
London Towne Elementary and Navy Elementary will offer the Beyond the Bell program this year, along with Brookfield Elementary, which piloted the program in 2025-2026.
Community Information Sessions
To help the community better understand the transition, NCS is hosting a community information session in September. Current SACC families, families on the waitlist and members of the community are encouraged to attend to learn more about Beyond the Bell and what the transition means for families. This session will also provide an opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from NCS leadership.
Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026
- 11a.m. – 12 p.m.
- 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Only: Zoom link (same link for both sessions)
Please go to the Fairfax County Beyond the Bell website for more information and details about the program.
New Student ID Cards for Bus Riders
As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, FCPS will implement a new student ID system for students who ride our school buses.
Designed as an additional safety measure for our 130,000 bus riders, students will tap on and tap off the bus.
While participation will not be required, we encourage families to use the student ID card. Tapping the card will help transportation staff confirm when students board and exit their assigned vehicles. The new IDs do not track student movement; it does not use GPS and cannot independently track a student’s location, nor does it contain sensitive student information.
While participation will not be required, we encourage families to use the student ID card. Once the FCPS My Ride app becomes available, participating parents and guardians will also be able to view their child’s boarding and exit information.
FCPS will provide an opt-out process for families that do not want their children to participate. There will be no penalty for students whose families have opted out or who do not have or use an ID card. Instructions regarding the opt-out process will be provided before implementation.
Additional information and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the FCPS webpage: School Bus Navigation System and Student ID Cards.
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New Menu Platform for School Meals
Experience an easier way to view your child’s school menus using MealViewer:
- View what is being served each day.
- View the nutritional information for each meal.
- See if any specific allergens are being served.
- Get notified when your student’s favorite meal is being served.
Printable menus are always available on the Food and Nutrition Services webpage.
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Middle School Student Access to Virtual Mental Health Services
Since 2023, FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to offer virtual mental health services to FCPS high school students. These services became available to students enrolled in all FCPS middle schools on July 1.
Parents are encouraged to contact Hazel Health directly if they are seeking mental health support for their child, have noticed changes in their child’s mood or behavior, or are having difficulty connecting with a therapist in the community.
To make it easier for families to access services, FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to streamline the referral process. Parents can visit the Hazel Health in FCPS website to enroll their child in services or visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.
Student Rights and Responsibilities Updates
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses in order to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Updates to this year’s SR&R document include:
- Universal Grade Matrices (UGMs), which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.
- The updated “Bell to Bell” Cellphone Policy.
- New discipline responses for creating or sharing intimate images.
- Clarification that students with disabilities have the same protections for both in-school and out-of-school suspensions.
- More grade-aligned and culturally responsive learning interventions.
Families are encouraged to review this document together at the start of every school year. Visit the SR&R webpage for more information.
New Student Device Requirement
Starting this school year, students may only use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day. This is in accordance with a new School Board requirement, approved on July 16, which states that students may not use personal electronic communication or computing devices, including personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and similar devices.
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device.
Families can help support this requirement by reminding students to bring their FCPS-issued device each day and use it for all school-related digital activities unless an approved exception applies.
No Cellphones: All Day, All Grades
Cellphones, cellphone accessories, and all smart devices (e.g. smart glasses, airpods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the phone) are to be off and personally stored.
Watches that serve a dual purpose (e.g. smart watch) are to be off and personally stored (i.e. backpacks) for the duration of the school day — from bell to bell.
If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call the school’s front office. Visit the FCPS cellphone policy webpage for more information.
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School Board News & Events
Robyn Lady Elected Fairfax County School Board Chair, Kyle McDaniel Elected Vice Chair
The Fairfax County School Board confirmed its leadership for the 2026-27 school year at its July 9 regular meeting. Robyn Lady (Dranesville District) was elected chair, and Kyle McDaniel (At-Large) was elected vice chair. Read about these School Board members.
Meet the School Board Student Representative
Newt Shosteck, a rising senior at Hayfield Secondary School, was elected by the countywide Student Advisory Council (SAC) to serve a one-year term as student representative to the Fairfax County School Board, beginning July 1. Shosteck will participate in School Board meetings as a nonvoting member, succeeding Faith Mekonen, who recently graduated from South County High School. He will be the 56th student representative to the School Board.
Shosteck has three main priorities as student representative: strengthening the Student Advisory Council while enhancing student representation in decision-making, reforming security policies, and improving mental health services for FCPS students.
Click the link to hear more from Mr. Shosteck and his priorities for the coming school year. by regarding his priorities for the upcoming year.
To connect with Mr. Shosteck, please click the "Submit a Question" link and complete the form.
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Upcoming School Board Events
Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)
- Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 11:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 11:30 a.m.
Regular Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
All meetings are broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. Meetings are also recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS YouTube channel. Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at regular meetings or public hearings.
Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español: Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español.
FCPS Opportunities & Offerings
Learn or Strengthen your English Language Skills
Learning English can open doors to new opportunities, stronger connections, and greater confidence in your everyday life. With adult English classes through FCPS ACE, you can build practical English language skills to help you communicate at work, support your children’s education, engage with your new community, and achieve your personal goals.
Classes are designed for learners at all levels and provide a supportive environment where you can practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing with experienced instructors.
Testing is required for all new students to ensure you are placed in the correct learning level. The Adult ESOL Fall Term is scheduling now. Scholarships are available.
If you're interested in strengthening your English Language skills, please visit the FCPS ACE website for more information and scheduling.
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New Apprenticeship Offerings for 2026
As demand for skilled trade professionals continues to grow, apprenticeship training provides a proven path to career advancement, higher earning potential, and long-term job security.
FCPS Adult and Community Education (ACE) is now accepting registrations for its Fall 2026 Apprenticeship programs in Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing. Classes begin the week of September 8th, offering an affordable pathway to industry-recognized credentials and rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
Enrollment is now open. Class sizes are limited and courses fill quickly. Early registration is encouraged.
For class schedules, scholarship information, and registration, visit www.fcpsace.org
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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