Week of September 7

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In This Issue:



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Calendar



September: Attendance Awareness Month

September 07: Labor Day

September 11: Religious and Cultural Observance (Evening Only)

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

September 16: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid, 6:45 p.m., McNair Elementary School

September 17 & 18: School Picture Day

Herndon HS Calendar of Events

 

 

 



Events



September: Attendance Awareness Month

Attending school regularly helps students feel better about school — and themselves.  Visit the FCPS Attendance web page for tips and strategies. 


Labor Day

Friday, September 4, and 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. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.


September 11 National Day of Service

september 11

With the upcoming 25th anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.

All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.


Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday, September 11. That day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school. 

See the complete school year calendar.


Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid

Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life. 

A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):

Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid. 


PSAT/NMSQT/SAT School Day Schedule and Pre-Survey Opt-Out 

PSAT/NMSQT / SAT School Day Schedule

On Oct 7, 2026, Herndon HS 10th–11th graders take the PSAT and registered 12th graders take the SAT. School releases 2 hours early with buses provided. To opt out of the optional pre-test survey, email Dr. Gussow (ksgussow@fcps.edu) your student's full name and ID by Sept 17. Details are available on the Herndon website. 


School Picture Day is Coming Soon!

picture

Date: Thursday September 17th & Friday September 18th 2026

Pre-order Online: https://tinyurl.com/HerndonPictureDay

Images Available: Approximately two - three weeks after picture day

Ordering Questions?: Email underclass@vosphoto.com

If you are interested in volunteering at Picture Day, please email Ms. Choi (gechoi@fcps.edu). Volunteers will receive a discount code for photo packages! Additional information is available on the Herndon 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


Save the Date for the Annual Special Education Family Conference

2026 Special Education Family Conference banner

 

The Annual Special Education Family Conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School.

Hosted by FCPS and community partners, its theme — Connected Communities, Thriving Students — highlights the power of partnerships that support student success. This no-cost, in-person event brings together families, staff, and community partners to explore special education services, supports, and resources and to build meaningful connections. 

The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and lunch for all participants. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for the latest information.

Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.

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Information



Your Child’s Presence at School Matters

Attendance

 

The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success by helping them build good habits. 

If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.


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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The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12

The FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. 

The first goal of the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they’re joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.See how Goal 1 is being put into practice. Learn more about or enroll in FCPS Pre-K or Early Head Start.


Weather Happens, FCPS Is Ready

Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, many different types of weather events can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff. What does FCPS do during a flood? What about a severe thunderstorm?

Learn how FCPS prepares for and responds to weather events, and find resources to help your family prepare, on the FCPS Weather Safety webpage.


Safety Drills During the School Year

Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and extreme weather. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance. 

The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill. 

Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your child before and after school lockdown drills.

⚠️ Know Our Security Terms

FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.

Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned. 

If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1. 


Get to Know Our School Health Staff

Our Public Health Nurse at Herndon is Amanda Khu, and our Licensed Professional Nurse is Diana Membreno-Bonilla. Contact them at 703-810-2313 for health plans, medication drop-offs, or questions about chronic conditions. Visit our school health room (clinic) webpage for forms, illness policies, and tips to keep your student healthy!


Help Keep Our School Phone-Free: Updates to the FCPS Cellphone Policy

Please remind your student that high schoolers can no longer use their cellphones and other devices during lunch time, and that students must use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day.

Personal electronic communication or computing devices must be off and personally stored (such as in a backpack) for the duration of the school day. This includes personal laptops and tablets, smartphones and smartwatches, and other similar devices. 

If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office at [main office number]. Learn more about the FCPS Cellphone Policy and Device Policy.

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Resources



FCPS News

In case you missed it in https://www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-week-september-2-2026, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

  • Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
  • Weather Safety
  • Attendance Resources for Families

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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