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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.
Dear Friends,
I hope you and your family had a wonderful summer with time to relax, recharge, and make lasting memories. As students, families, and staff make their final preparations to return to the classroom on Monday, I want to wish everyone a fantastic start to the 2026-27 school year!
The beginning of a new school year is always an exciting time. It's a fresh start and an opportunity for students to learn, grow, make new friends, and discover new interests. Across FCPS, our dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff have been hard at work preparing welcoming schools and engaging learning experiences for every student.
 Click to play my back to school message.
As we get ready for the first day, I also want to share a few important reminders and updates for families.
🍎 Apply for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Applications for the 2026-27 Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) program are now open.
If your family may qualify, I encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Eligible students can receive nutritious school breakfasts and lunches at reduced or no cost, and approval may also provide access to additional educational benefits.
Families who participated last school year must submit a new application each year to continue receiving benefits.
Learn more and apply online
🚌 New Student ID Cards & Bus Tracking
This fall, FCPS is launching a modernized student transportation system designed to improve school bus safety and provide families with more accurate information about their student's ride.
Every student will receive a new FCPS student ID card. Students who ride the bus will tap their card when boarding and exiting, allowing the new system to provide better transportation information to families. Schools will distribute the new ID cards during the first few weeks of school, and students will wear them throughout the school day.
As with any major new system, there may be an adjustment period during the opening weeks of school, and I appreciate everyone's patience as students, families, drivers, and staff get accustomed to the changes.
Learn more about the new transportation system
🎉 Skyview High School Opens Its Doors
Yesterday marked an exciting milestone for FCPS as students, families, staff, and community members celebrated the grand opening of Skyview High School, Fairfax County's first new high school in more than two decades!
The opening of a new school is a special moment for any community, and Skyview represents years of planning and hard work to meet the needs of our growing and changing school division. I was glad to join the celebration and recognize everyone who helped make this new school a reality.
Most importantly, I wish Skyview's students and staff all the best as they begin the school's very first year and start building the traditions that will define the Skyview community for generations to come.
📚 Looking Ahead
As we begin another school year, I'm excited about the opportunities ahead for our students, educators, and families. I am especially grateful to our teachers, principals, bus drivers, food service workers, custodians, support staff, and everyone across FCPS who has worked throughout the summer to make Monday's opening possible.
And to our parents and caregivers: thank you for your partnership and for everything you do each day to support our students.
I wish every FCPS student a safe, successful, and rewarding first day of school. Here's to a great start and an even better year ahead!
Sincerely,
Kyle McDaniel
Fairfax County School Board
Member, At-Large
Other Updates
📱 Get Ready for Day One with the FCPS 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.
💻 You Can Manage Student Web Access at Home
In FCPS 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.
📵 Updated FCPS Cellphone Policy Starts July 1: No Phones or Devices During Lunch for High School Students
Under a new Virginia cellphone law (SB108) and the updated FCPS Cellphone Policy, high school students at FCPS will no longer be able to use cellphones and other smart devices during lunch time, starting July 1. This includes watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other items connected to the internet. During the school day, including during lunch time, all students will have to keep cellphones and other smart devices off and stored in a locker, backpack, pouch, purse, etc. This policy does not apply to school-issued devices. Visit the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage for more information.
🥪 Help Your Child Navigate the Lunch Line
Check out some tips to 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.
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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.
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.
🫱🏻🫲🏿 SEL Screener Parent/Guardian Notification
The Spring 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.
🗣️ 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.
Línea Telefónica de Información para Padres Disponible en Nueve Idiomas
Padres/cuidadores que hablan Amárico, Árabe, Chino, Farsi, Coreano, Español, Urdu o Vietnamita pueden llamar a una línea telefónica de información para obtener información general sobre FCPS. Vea la lista de números de teléfono.
학부모 정보 전화는 8가지 언어로 제공됩니다.
암하라어, 아랍어, 중국어, 페르시아어, 한국어, 스페인어, 우르두어, 베트남어를 할 줄 아는 보호자는 전화 안내 라인에 전화하여 FCPS에 대한 일반적인 정보를 얻을 수 있습니다. 또한 자녀의 학교와의 의사소통에 대한 지원도 받을 수 있습니다. 전화번호 목록 보기.
💬 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.
💉 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.
📑 Catch Up on Your Child’s Classwork in Schoology
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.
📰 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.
Calendar Reminder
- 📗 First Day of School - Monday, September 24
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🔧 Labor Day Holiday - Friday, September 4 / Monday, September 7, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day.
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🍯 Rosh Hashanah - Friday, September 11. This day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school.
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See the complete school year calendar.
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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