This Week at Madison 9/8/2026

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/08/2026 03:30 PM EDT

Dear Madison Families,

We wrapped up another fantastic week at Madison, and it was wonderful to see our focus on building community, inspiring excellence, and igniting passions reflected in our hallways and our classrooms. It has been a pleasure to watch our students navigate the halls with growing confidence, dive into classroom learning, and fully participate in our many school events and activities. 

A special thank you to all the students and families who joined us for our first home football game—your energy, presence, and incredible Warhawk spirit set a wonderful tone for the season ahead! We look forward to our rescheduled County Fair and next Varsity home football game on Friday, September 18th. 

Sincerely,

Michelle Makrigiorgos

Interim Principal

IMPORTANT INFO. & EVENTS

 

Student Safe Driving Reminders


As we work together to keep our school community safe, we need your help reinforcing an important safety message with our student drivers. Recently, we have noticed an increase in vehicles driving too fast and failing to yield to pedestrians in our parking lots and crosswalks.
If you have a student who drives to school, please take a moment this week to remind them to drive slowly on school grounds, stay off their phones, yield to everyone in the crosswalks, and follow signage and directions from any staff supporting traffic flow. We will continue to monitor our parking lot, but your conversations at home make the biggest difference in keeping all our students safe. Thank you for your support and partnership!

 

Picture Day and Yearbook Updates for Families

Underclassmen Portraits

  • Dates: Wednesday, September 9 & Thursday, September 10 during the English classes.
  • Online English Students: Pictures will be taken during Advisory periods.
  • Picture Retakes: Scheduled for Friday, October 16.
  • Images Available: Approximately two-three weeks after picture day.

Yearbook Pre-Orders (Lowest Price of the Year)

  • Current Price: $70
  • Price Increase: Bumps to $75 starting September 19
  • Action: Order early to lock in the lower rate.

STUDENT SERVICES & TESTING

College Visits to Madison High School for Seniors & Juniors

Madison will host more than 100 college admission representatives this fall for junior and seniors. These approximately 30-minute sessions give students the opportunity to learn more about colleges, ask questions, and connect with admission representatives. Students must ask their teacher for permission at least 24 hours in advance of a visit, attendance is at the teacher’s discretion. Students are responsible for missed assignments. Visits will begin this week:

9/9: U of Georgia, U of Utah, Mary Baldwin U, Miami U Ohio, Brandeis U, Hofstra U, Penn State, Marymount U

9/10: Randolph C, Clemson U, American U

9/11: Bucknell U, Randolph-Macon U, U of Notre Dame, U of Kentucky, Colorado State U,  Indiana U

9/14: Mount St. Mary’s U, U of Denver, Virginia Tech, Ohio State

The most up to date list is available in Naviance and is where students also register to attend a visit.

PSAT/NMSQT, October 7

All 10th and 11th grade students will automatically be registered to take the PSAT/NMSQT on October 7. FCPS will cover the cost.

More information about October 7th will be available in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Frate at jlfrate@fcps.edu

MAP Growth Assessments

Students in select English and Math classes will participate in MAP assessments to determine students’ status and growth this fall. English classes will test between Aug. 31-Sept.3. English classes will test between Sept. 8-11.

Tests are delivered within the classroom instructional block. For more information on this test, visit The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage. 

World Language Credit by Exam (WLCBE): Registration Coming Soon!

The WLCBE assesses language proficiency in languages other than English for students in grades 7-12. This optional exam may be used to award credits towards graduation, determine course placement for language courses offered in FCPS, and fulfill the world language requirements for the Virginia Seal of Biliteracy. 

Students who wish to take the exam should be able to proficiently understand and communicate in the testing language, and will be asked to listen, read, speak, and write/type or, for American Sign Language, sign/interpret. 

If you would like for your student to participate in the WLCBE this fall, please complete this form and submit it to your student’s counselor. Registration is open from September 8 to October 16. LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES

Football Game Safety and Security Update

As we prepare for another exciting fall sports season, FCPS is implementing additional safety and security measures at all varsity football games.

Beginning this season, all spectators will participate in security screenings using the same weapons detection technology introduced in our middle and high schools last school year. A standardized bag policy will also be in place to help ensure a safe, efficient entry process for everyone attending our games.

These enhancements are designed to support a safe and welcoming environment while allowing families, students, and community members to enjoy Friday night football. We encourage attendees to arrive a little earlier than usual to allow time for screening. Get more information about weapons screening at football games.

Logistics:

  • There will be 2 entrances set up for "weapon detection" and "bag check."  1 will be just past the Booster pass gate close to the baseball field and 1 will be located near the rock.
  • All fans/spectators MUST enter through these screening stations before heading to the ticket gate.
  • Please note expectations related to bags and items being brought into the event and plan ahead linked above.

Tickets:

  • Booster Passes: entrance will remain at the Pass gate between the baseball field and main gate.  Members will be asked to verify their last name when entering Varsity Football games.  **Fastest entrance opportunity for Madison families
  • Warhawk Athletic Student Pass:  Electronic ticket for ALL regular season HOME events for Current Madison Students ONLY **Fastest entrance opportunity for Madison students
  • Online Sales: Adult tickets ($7) ONLY will be available at 8am the morning of the event.  **Next fastest entrance opportunity for adults
  • Cash & Credit sales at the Gate:  We will sell tickets at the gate.  Cash and CC (swipe ONLY) options are available **NO ApplePay, Venmo, etc e-payment methods
  • Entrance into the game will be CLOSED at the start of the 4th quarter.  This is a hard stop due to demands of personnel working the weapons detection/bag check systems.

View the Warhawk Sports website for upcoming Athletic Events

Concorde District info - www.concordedistrict.com

Northern Region info - www.novahsathletics.com

Madison Athletics info - www.warhawksports.org 

Madison Athletic Boosters - www.warhawkboosters.com

2026-207 Athletic Participation Requirements UPDATE:  Click HERE

Ticket Info:

  • Warhawk Athletic Student Pass: $70 for all regular season home events. Purchase HERE
  • Regular Season games/events ticket prices: Students = $5 & Adults = $7
  • Post Season games/event ticket prices: Students = $5 & Adults = $10 (District & Region) States = $12
  • Acceptable payments at the gate: Cash or Credit Card (no Apple Pay or tap payments accepted)
  • To save time at the gate, advanced tickets can be purchased here. 
  • Advanced tickets for away games can be found here

FCPS DIVISION MESSAGES

Your Child’s Presence at School Matters

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.

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. 

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.

FCPS NEWS/IN CASE YOU MISSED

IT (ICYMI)

FCPS NewsIn 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.  

LOOKING AHEAD

September 18- Rescheduled County Fair event 5-7

September 21- No School Yom Kippur

October 18: FCPS College Fair

October 19: FCPS Postsecondary Virtual Night

QUICK LINKS

JMHS Website

2026-2027 School Calendar

Reporting an Absence

Academic Policies and Forms (Information tab)

JMHS Academic Advising Page 

Parent Technology Help Desk

Archived Editions of This Week at Madison (TWAM)

Visit PTSA Website

Together We Rise