Week of August 24

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Senior Sunrise

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senior sunrise

This morning, Herndon’s Class of 2027 commemorated their first day of senior year with the annual Senior Sunrise event. Students gathered on the football field before classes began to watch the sunrise, marking the beginning of their final year of high school.

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In This Issue:



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Calendar



August 24: First Day of School for Students

September 1: Back to School Night, 6:00 pm

September 4, 7: Holidays | Labor Day Break

September 11: Religious and Cultural Observance (Evening Only)

September 12: Rosh Hashanah (begins sundown 9/11 - sundown 9/13)

Herndon HS Calendar of Events

 

 

 



Events



back to school night 2026

Calling All Rising Seniors: Apply for the Fairfax Global Leaders Fellowship

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community and around the world? The Fairfax Global Leaders Fellowship is now accepting applications for the Class of 2027!

Students must:

  • Be a Fairfax County resident or attend Fairfax County Public Schools.
  • Be a rising high school senior (Class of 2027).
  • Have a minimum 3.5 GPA.

Before applying, please have your resume (.doc or .pdf) and high school transcript (.doc or .pdf) ready to upload. Students will also answer several short questions as part of the application. 

There is no cost to apply. Students admitted to the program pay a one-time $75 administrative fee to support program expenses. The fee will be waived for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals or who are experiencing financial hardship.

To apply, complete the Global Leaders Fellowship Application Form by Tuesday, September 1, at 11:59 p.m. (You must use a personal Gmail account to apply.)  

Questions? Please email apply@fairfaxleaders.com.


SAT School Day

SAT School Day - CollegeBoard

Date: October 7, 2026 (Free for 12th graders)

Intent Form: Submit by September 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM using @fcpsschools.net (No walk-ins/late additions)

Info & Form: https://www.fcps.edu/node/43896

Contact: Dr. Gussow (ksgussow@fcps.edu

Additional details on the website.


Save the Date: HHS Homecoming Parade 2026

calendar

🎬 Theme: Hollywood Through the Years: 

📅 Parade Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026

🕘 Step-Off: 9:30 a.m.

🎥 Presented By: Town of Herndon Parks & Recreation Department

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Information



Herndon Esports Information 2026–2027

Do you love gaming and want to compete for Herndon High School?

Esports is back at Herndon High School for the 2026–2027 school year! With esports now recognized as an official high school sport by the Virginia High School League, students have the opportunity to represent the Hornets while competing in organized video game competitions.

Whether you are an experienced competitive gamer or simply interested in learning more about esports, we want you to be part of the team! Students can participate competitively or simply get involved and enjoy gaming with other Herndon students.

The team will begin meeting early in the school year to prepare for the upcoming season. Competitive players will be expected to participate regularly in practices and competitions, while students who want to participate more casually are also welcome to join when their schedules allow.

Just like any other Herndon High School athletic team, esports players are expected to maintain appropriate academic performance, attendance, sportsmanship, and behavior throughout the season.

No prior esports experience is required! Whether you are already a competitive gamer, play occasionally with friends, or have never competed before, there is a place for you.

Interested or have questions? Reach out to Coach Headen at jeheaden@fcps.edu for more information and to be added to future esports communications.

Come represent Herndon. Compete. Connect. Game on!


Yearbooks for sale! 

School is just starting, but our 2026-27 yearbooks are already available for purchase on yearbookordercenter.com! Our school code is 8967. Books can also be purchased on MySchoolBucks. Secure early bird pricing for $65 before prices go up on October 1. Make sure you claim your copy early – we sold out last year!

*Students receiving free/reduced lunch can pick up an order form in the main office to purchase a yearbook at a reduced cost. Questions? Please email Grace Choi, HHS’ yearbook adviser: gechoi@fcps.edu

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Be First-Day Ready

The first day of school, Monday, August 24, is just around the corner! Check out these back-to-school tips to make sure your child gets off to a great start. 

Also find out what will be new this school year.


Student ID Cards for [School Name] Bus Riders

We will begin distributing student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services.

[Add details about how student ID cards will be provided to families.]

Students who have student ID cards should begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. Only students who use FCPS transportation services will be provided with a student ID card at this time.

We ask for your patience! Bus drivers will begin checking in students next week and may need some extra time at each bus stop while they do this. The transportation team is working hard to minimize any potential delays.

Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.


Help Your Child Navigate the Lunch Line

Help your child get through the lunch line quickly and have more time to eat:

  • Teach your child their student ID number to receive meals at school.
  • Sign up for and add money to MySchoolBucks to purchase meals at school.
  • Apply for free and reduced-price meals. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should submit a new application as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost. (deadline to apply is October 7, 2026)

If your child has any food allergies, learn how to submit accommodations for dietary restrictions and allergens

Access menus for breakfast, lunch, and other school meals, as well as allergen and nutrition information.


Crossing Guard Update

Beginning this school year, Fairfax County will no longer assign crossing guards to our school. As always, we encourage students, families, and drivers to use extra caution when traveling to and from school, follow all traffic laws, and remain alert to pedestrians and other vehicles. Because traffic patterns may be different, please allow a few extra minutes when arriving at or departing from school.


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 their 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.


You Can Manage Student Web Access at Home

At Herndon, we acknowledge that parents are our students' first and most important teachers. Parents now have greater control over their child’s FCPS-issued device outside of school hours through Lightspeed Parent Portal.

In addition to monitoring weekly internet activity, parents can now also customize web access at home on FCPS devices through Lightspeed using Schedules and Web Rules.

With Schedules, you can set tailored times to automatically pause or restrict internet access. This makes it easier to enforce rules around homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.

In Web Rules, you can create Custom Block Lists to block specific, individual websites they do not want your child accessing at home. This allows parents greater control over what is happening online, under their own roof.

These new custom controls take effect at home, outside of school hours, and when the device is off the FCPS network. They will not override standard district filtering policies during the instructional day.

Customize Your Lightspeed Settings

All parents should be receiving weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report emails. To set up these new features, click the “Log in or Register” button at the bottom of your weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email.

Visit the FCPS Lightspeed Parent Portal Guide for more information. If you have additional questions, submit a Parent Technology Support Ticket.

Parents are encouraged to discuss internet boundaries with their children so that they can understand the reasoning behind any limits and the differences between access at home and at school. Get tips on talking to your children about technology safety.


SEL Screener Parent/Guardian Notification

The Fall Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3 through 12 in October. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. 


Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Prior to the start of school on Monday, August 24, please submit your child’s immunization documentation. If your child has an appointment to receive their required immunizations after August 24, please submit an Immunization Action Plan to confirm the appointment.

You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to a school’s front office. If needed, families may also provide other immunization documentation including a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form. Please visit the FCPS How to Submit Immunization Documentation webpage for step-by-step instructions on how to submit each of these items.

 

Immunization Events for FCPS Students

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.

Additional immunization resources are also available.

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Resources



Get Ready for Day One with the FCPS App!

Screenshots of FCPS Mobile App

 

🎒As we gear up for the first day of school, make sure you have the FCPS mobile app downloaded! It's the quickest way to check the school year calendar, view lunch and breakfast menus, find school contacts, and jump to ParentVUE or Schoology from your phone.

Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.


💻 Catch Up on Your Child’s Classwork in Schoology

Schoology Screenshot: A parent and child look at a computer screen.

 

Teachers use Schoology to post their classroom materials online; to provide a secure forum for students to discuss their ideas and collaborate on projects; and to assign and collect homework electronically. It helps students stay organized, and it keeps the class connected.

A Schoology Parent Account gives you access to:

  • Your child’s classes.
  • Your child’s upcoming assignments.
  • School, class, and group announcements.

To access Schoology, parents will need to have an active SIS/ParentVUE account. Get more information on how to login and use Schoology.


Study Help and Support Available to Students in Schoology

A new Schoology Study and Support Hub is available for students in Schoology. This space was developed by the FCPS Educational Technology Team with input from students. It is designed to provide essential study tools and academic support resources directly to our learners.

Students can log in to Schoology and read their Schoology announcements or watch this video on the support hub for more information. 


Family Information Line Available in Nine Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.


Follow FCPS on WhatsApp

Is WhatsApp one of the ways you stay connected with family, friends, and your community? Now you can use it to stay connected with FCPS, too.

Follow the new FCPS WhatsApp Channel for helpful information and reminders throughout the school year, including important announcements, upcoming dates, tips for families, and more.


FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

  • Get Ready for Day One With the FCPS App!
  • Learn About School Meals
  • Managing Technology at Home

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


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