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September 15-October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15: Senior Next Steps for Parents, 6:15 pm, Auditorium
September 15: Financial Aid Night with South Lakes HS, 7:00 pm, Auditorium
September 16: Senior Next Steps for Students, 4th pd, Various Locations
September 16: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid, 6:45 p.m., McNair Elementary School
September 17 & 18: School Picture Day
September 21: Holiday | Yom Kippur (begins sundown 9/20 - sundown 9/21)
Herndon HS Calendar of Events
National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15th, 2026 from 6:15 pm to 7:00 pm in the HHS Auditorium
Learn more about post-secondary opportunities and the important steps students should take as they plan for life after high school. This session provides an overview of the information shared with seniors during their September 16th Senior Meetings.
HHS Class of 2027 parents, join us from 6:15- 6:45 p.m. for this portion of the event. Counselor Q&A and break 6:45-7:00pm. Spanish translation available!
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September 15th, 2026 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the HHS Auditorium
Presentation by Jack Zeeger, Campus Financial Aid Manager at Northern Virginia Community College, Loudoun Campus
Learn more about the FAFSA and the college financial aid process, including grants, scholarships, work-study, loans, and important steps families should take to successfully navigate the process and secure financial aid. Spanish translation available!
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Wednesday, September 16th, for the entire 4th period, you will be attending a meeting regarding next steps following graduation. Rather than meeting with your school counselor, you will have the choice to attend a session that fits your needs. For example, there will be a session for those who are planning on applying to four-year schools and the steps that you need to take. There will be a session regarding NOVA and how to apply. Therefore, we need you to complete the google form indicating which session you will attend. This will help streamline the process and account for your attendance.
Here's the link to the Google Form. Please complete this NO LATER THAN Tuesday, September 15th.
Should you have any questions, please contact your school counselor directly.
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):
- Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
- Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
- Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
- Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
- Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
- Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School
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.
Constitution Day
September 17 is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (Constitution Day). This day commemorates the September 17, 1787 signing of the United States Constitution.
PSAT/NMSQT/SAT School Day Schedule and Pre-Survey Opt-Out
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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!
Yom Kippur
SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT Testing Day
SAT School Day and PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) exams will be held at each high school on Wednesday, October 7, at no cost to families. The digital SAT School Day exam is offered to 12th grade students, and the digital PSAT/NMSQT exam is provided to 10th and 11th grade students.
Unscheduled Day for 9th Grade Students
Because of the testing, most 9th grade students will not have school on October 7. Students are encouraged to complete any missing work or assignments that need to be completed prior to the end of the first quarter.
Ninth grade students with disabilities who receive low incidence special education services will still receive in-person instruction with a two-hour early release on October 7.
Contact the Student Services team at your child’s school with any questions. Learn more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS.
Save the Date: HHS Homecoming Parade 2026
🎬 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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Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students
Register now for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students. The free conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS in collaboration with community partners, the conference highlights the power of partnerships in supporting student success. Families, educators, and community members are invited to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall with local resources, and lunch for all participants.
Register for the conference and visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
September: Attendance Awareness Month
Importance of Strong Attendance Habits
- September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
- Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
- Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
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.
Review and Sign the SR&R by September 30
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.
Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.
Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.
Cellphones and Personal 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. Learn more about the student device requirement.
Schools Build Belonging so Students Can Thrive
What does belonging look like in our school? At Herndon, we are creating inclusive, supportive environments where every student feels known, valued, and connected — the second goal of the Strategic Plan. From mentoring to cross-grade collaboration, when students feel safe and supported, they can truly thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice at FCPS.
Stay in the Know With Here Comes the Bus
Even though FCPS has launched a new bus navigation system, some aspects like the new FCPS My Ride mobile app are still in development. Families should still use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to track the location of their child’s bus. This app is still compatible with the new system.
FCPS will notify families and schools when the new app is ready to download and use. In the meantime, everyone should reinforce with students that they need to tap on and off the bus with their student ID cards.
Did you already download the new app? That’s okay! The new app is in the final stage of testing, so some features are not yet fully functional. At this time, you should refer to Here Comes the Bus for the most accurate information.
The Importance of the Flu Vaccine
As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, the health and well-being of our students continues to be one of our priorities. Staying up to date with your child's flu vaccination helps:
- Reduce School Absences: Keeping students healthy means more time spent learning and engaging with peers.
- Protect the Community: Vaccination helps shield vulnerable family members and neighbors from seasonal illness.
- Support Overall Wellness: Routine flu shots are a key component of a proactive student health plan.
Upcoming Flu Shot Events
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will be taking 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.
Correction: 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 703-810-2210 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!
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Review and Sign the SR&R
- Your Child Belongs at School
- What’s for Lunch? Check the FCPS App
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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