English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

2026-27 FCPS School Calendar

• August 20: Back to School Bash, 5:00–7:00 p.m.
• August 21: Welcome Walk, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
• August 21: Kindergarten Popsicles on the Playground, 3:00–4:00p.m.
• August 24: First Day of School for the 2026-27 school year.
• September 04 - September 07: No School | Labor Day Break 
• September 08: School resumes at normal time
• September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
• September 17: Back to School Night,  6:00–8:00p.m.
• September 21: No School | Yom Kippur

Good evening, Herndon Elementary Families,

Our team is working thoughtfully to prepare for the return of our Bees and the start of the 2026–27 school year. This week, staff focused on instructional planning, student support, building readiness, and the details that help every student feel welcomed and ready to learn.

We welcomed our new staff members, continued planning for strong classroom instruction, and prepared supports for multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and students who may benefit from additional academic, social, or emotional support. Our teachers and instructional assistants also participated in professional learning as we prepared for a successful start.

We are grateful for the partnership of our PTA, Cornerstones, Trinity Presbyterian Church, and other community partners. These partnerships are helping us provide school supplies, additional parking support, and other resources for our students and families. Our custodial, construction, and support teams are also working to ensure that our building is ready for the return of students and staff.

I am grateful for our PTA Executive Board team for our productive meeting on Thursday night and the summer work and planning that is going into ensuring we have a great start to the year.

There is a great deal happening behind the scenes, and each decision is connected to one purpose: creating a school where every Bee feels known, supported, challenged, and ready to learn.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We look forward to welcoming our students and families back to Herndon Elementary very soon.

Looking Ahead

Please mark your calendars:

• Back to School Bash and Open House: Thursday, August 20, 5:00–7:00 p.m.
• Welcome Walk: Friday, August 21, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
• First Day of School: Monday, August 24
• Back to School Night: Thursday, September 17, 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Gratefully,

Dr. Monika Vereb Principal

📸Snapshots from Principal Vereb

The Leadership Team greets staff working from the building on Friday, August 14.

Photos of the new construction wing.

HES PTA Message

We are so grateful for the volunteering and support that families have provided to our PTA during the past school year! As we start getting things off the ground for this upcoming school year, we wanted to invite you to lend a hand with a couple of events and volunteer activities that the PTA has planned for August. If you are able to help, please check out our Sign Up Genius page using the links below to sign up: HES Volunteer Opportunities August 18: Stuffing Student Folders  Sign Up to Volunteer August 20: Selling Pizza/Drinks at the Back to School Bash Sign Up to Volunteer Thank you so much for your support, time, and dedication to our school community! Sincerely, The Herndon Elementary School PTA Want to make it official and become a PTA member? Click here! 😀 Welcome to the 2026–2027 School Year! The PTA is thrilled to kick off a brand-new year—we've had a wonderful time planning some exciting events for our families this summer. Please save the dates for our upcoming activities: Pizza Sales at the Back-to-School Bash: August 20 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM First PTA Meeting: September 10 from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Outdoor Movie Night: September 18 from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Visit our website at herndonespta.givebacks.com to learn more, join the PTA, or make a donation—every contribution makes a difference!   Be sure to follow us on Facebook (Herndon Elementary School PTA) and Instagram (@herndonesPTA) for the latest updates.

Back 2 School Bash, August 20 from 5–7 PM. Two slices of pizza plus a drink cost $5. Water and lemonade are also available. Cash is encouraged.

Everyone is welcome, including parents, teachers, and community members. The meeting is September 10 from 6–7 PM in the Herndon ES Library. Attendees can meet the new PTA Board members, connect with other parents, learn about volunteer opportunities that support student learning, and help plan events throughout the year

Outdoor Movie Night flyer for September 18, 2026, from 6–8 PM. Guests are invited to enjoy a night of laughter and popcorn and are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. More details will be announced. The flyer features the Hickory Elementary School PTA logo and illustrations of red-and-white popcorn containers along the bottom.

We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!

As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Use the following list to help make sure your child is ready! 

☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE

Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrar at [email/phone number] if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

Update Your Contact Information

Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) by clicking “My Account” and reviewing the “Online Verification/Update.” On that form, you can also update immunization records, health information, and emergency contacts. 

☑️ 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 our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.

☑️ 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.

FCPS app information

Stay Connected With Us!

Follow Herndon Elementary School and our PTA on Instagram for school highlights, important updates, upcoming events, and ways to stay involved in our community.

📱Herndon Elementary: @herndonelementaryschool
📱Herndon Elementary PTA: @herndones_pta

We look forward to connecting with you!

Image encouraging community stakeholders to follow Herndon ES on social media

Download the FCPS App Today!

The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep you connected and informed, directly from your smartphone. Download the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. 

With the app, you can:

• View school calendars. See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
• Check school menus. See what’s for lunch and breakfast each school day.
• Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
• Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
• Access key links. Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.

No need to log in, just download and go! Learn more about the FCPS mobile app.

New ParentVUE Mobile App Launching July 28

On Tuesday, July 28, a new ParentVUE mobile app will become available in the Apple and Google app stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. The current “classic” app will remain active for about six months. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their child’s school data.

In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.

Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.

New Student ID Cards Coming This Fall 

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.

The implementation of the student IDs is designed as an additional safety measure for our 130,000 FCPS students who ride the bus each day, ensuring they are on the right bus and that they get on and off at the correct bus stop, as well as making sure only authorized students are on our buses.

The IDs will be provided to students who ride the bus. Those students will be expected to tap on and tap off the bus. The student IDs do not track student movement. The only information available is when a student taps on or off a bus. Much like our Here Comes the Bus app, our new app will allow parents/guardians to track the progress of the school bus.

It is possible that the ID program will expand in the future to include uses such as library cards and meal payment. Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.

Back-to-School Immunization Requirements

Make sure your child has all of their required immunizations before the first day of school. Check their immunization records to see what they might be missing. You can:

1. Request immunization records online through the Virginia Immunization Information System (a free service).
2. If your child was immunized outside of Virginia, get records from those states’ systems.
3. Request records from your health care provider. Some may charge for copies.

Review school-required immunizations to verify that your child is up to date. 

Where to Receive Immunizations

If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your family’s healthcare provider or one of the following immunization events. 

FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.

If you do not have a healthcare provider, visit a Health Department clinic. Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) clinics offer immunizations to all Fairfax County students, as well as those who are behind on their scheduled immunizations or need a booster. 

Summer back-to-school immunization clinics are also available. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome. FCHD offers limited walk-in hours for immunization services on a first-come, first-served basis. Immunizations are also available by appointment.

Inova Cares Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs provide children ages 5 and up with free school physicals and immunizations. Weekend clinics are available in July and August. These health fairs are for VA Medicaid or Uninsured Inova registered patients only. Appointments are required. Call 703-698-2550 to make an appointment. Bring vaccine records to the appointment.

Local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the FCHD.

Understanding Student Rights and Responsibilities Updates: New Universal Grade Matrices for Families

Families are encouraged to review the updated FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document, which 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 for the 2026-27 school year include new Universal Grade Matrices (UGMs). UGMs are charts that show behavior expectations and school responses by grade level (K-3, 4-8, and 9-12). These at-a-glance resources (in Appendix D of the SR&R) are designed to make it easier for parents and caregivers to understand how schools respond to different types of behavior concerns.

Visit the SR&R webpage for more information and to review additional updates to the SR&R for the 2026-27 school year.

Requirement for Student Device Use During the School Day

Starting this school year, students must 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 their 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.

Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!

According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals. 

Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families who are interested may choose to complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Participation is optional. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits. 

The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.

Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.

Explore School Meals in the New Menu Platform

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

Give Your Kids a Strong Start: Apply for Early Childhood Education Programs 

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.

Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. However, space is limited and provided based on need, not on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are accepted online, by email, by postal mail (printable application), or in person at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).

Community Flyers

DESIGN AN OFFICIAL VIRGINIA 250 STICKER AND HELP TELL VIRGINIA’S STORY DURING AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY.

WHO CAN ENTER?

ALL VIRGINIA STUDENTS K–12, HOMESCHOOL, AND COLLEGE STUDENTS!

WHAT CAN I WIN?

• $250 IN VA250 MERCHANDISE
• YOUR ARTWORK TRANSFORMED INTO AN OFFICIAL VA250 STICKER
• RECOGNITION AS A VA250 STICKER DESIGN CHALLENGE WINNER

WHEN IS THIS DUE?

OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 AT NOON

TO LEARN MORE GO TO: VA250.ORG/STICKER-CONTEST

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

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

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

Newsletters:

• FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
• New Student ID Cards and Bus Navigation System
• Boundary Changes for Skyview and Western Pyramids
• Free Mental Health Support for Middle Schoolers

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

Renovation Information

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

Administration E-mail:

• Principal, Dr. Monika Vereb mgvereb1@fcps.edu 
• Assistant Principal, Elizabeth Baxter eabaxter@fcps.edu 
• Assistant Principal, Dr. Lawrence Randolph lwrandolph@fcps.edu
• Assistant Principal, Kelly Cosgrove kmcosgrove@fcps.edu

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.

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