|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
 |
|
Upcoming Events
Sept. 12: FHS BANDS TAG DAY
Sept. 14: Flag Football Tryouts
Sept. 16: Back to School Night, 6:30-8:30pm
Sept. 18: School Picture Day
Sept. 18: Ted Britt Bowl, 7pm, Stalnaker Stadium
Sept. 19: Mock SAT/ACT @ FHS
Sept. 23: Parents for Safe Teen Driving Night
Sept. 25: Homecoming Game, 7:00pm
Sept. 26: Homecoming Dance, info TBA
October 7: PSAT/SAT School Day
May 1: PROM! Info TBA
June 2: GRADUATION! 8:30am, Stalnaker Stadium
|
Included in this issue:
Program Spotlight
- FHS Bands Tag Day, September 12
- Athletic Boosters Ted Britt Bowl, September 18
Calendar Reminders
- Patriot Day
- Rosh Hashanah
- National Hispanic Heritage Month
- Learning Lounge and Late Bus Days
- Saturday School Starts September 12
Fairfax Lions Need to Know
- Back to School Night, Sept. 16
- Student Services Info
- Parent Digital Consent
- Superintendent Community Conversations
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
- Mock SAT and Mock ACT at FHS
- School Picture Day, September 18
- PE Apparel Website Opened Sept. 1st
- Boys Lacrosse Chipotle Fundraiser
- Family Information Phone Lines
- Quick Links
Back To School Night, September 16 🏫
September 11, 2026
Happy Friday! Fairfax Families,
First and foremost, I want to extend a huge thank you to our entire community for your incredible patience and flexibility during this morning's unexpected power outage! Our students and staff were PAWSome as we navigated the situation and waited for power to be fully restored. Their flexibility and adaptability made a chaotic morning run smoothly, proving once again how special our Lion family is.
Despite the brief hiccup today, we had an amazing instructional week in the building! Walking through classrooms, I was so proud to see our students deeply engaged in rich academic discourse, collaborative problem-solving, hands-on research, and creative group projects. The energy and focus within our learning spaces are truly inspiring.
Save the Date: Back to School Night
Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 16 for our annual Back to School Night
-
Pre-Sessions: We will offer a variety of informative pre-sessions prior to the main event (see the schedule below)
-
Class Visits: Classroom visits will officially begin at 6:30 PM.
Our teachers are so excited to meet you, build PAWSitive relationships, and partner with you to ensure a successful, high-achieving year for your student.
Thank you for your continued partnership, trust, and support. Rest up and have a wonderful weekend. There is no "ROAR" without all of us working together!
Warmly,
FHS Bands Tag Day, Saturday Sept. 12 🎺🥁
Hey, Fairfax! On Saturday, September 12, members of the Fairfax High School Marching Lions and Color Guard will be heading into neighborhoods throughout our community for our annual Tag Day fundraiser.
From 8:00am to 5:00pm, our students will be going door to door, meeting neighbors and asking for support for the FHS Bands program. Tag Day is our biggest fundraising tradition of the year, and it’s also a wonderful opportunity for our students to connect with the community they proudly represent on the field, in the stands, on the concert stage, and beyond.
If you hear a knock at your door from one of our Marching Lions, we hope you’ll say hello and consider making a donation. Students will be traveling in groups with adult volunteers throughout the day. And if you happen to miss them, you can still join in and support the band from anywhere by donating online at fhsbands.org/tagday.
Every donation, no matter the size, helps provide our students with the resources and opportunities they need to make music, perform, compete, and create unforgettable experiences together.
Our students put an incredible amount of time, energy, and dedication into the FHS Bands program, and we’re fortunate to have a Fairfax community that continues to cheer them on. Thank you for supporting the Fairfax High School Marching Lions and Color Guard and helping keep this great FHS tradition going strong. See you on September 12 and thank you for your support!
Athletic Boosters Sponsor Ted Britt Bowl 🏈
Ted Britt Ford Bowl, Rivalry Community Tradition Driven Together!
Fairfax Lions v. Chantilly Chargers football game is Friday, September 18, at 7:00pm. Come out to watch the game and have a chance to win HUGE prizes. Sponsored by Fairfax High School Athletic Boosters.
🗓️Calendar Reminders
Patriot Day
September 11 National Day of Service
This year marks the 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.
National Hispanic Heritage Month starts Sep. 15
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Learning Lounge and Late Bus Days 🚌
Starting September 2nd, FHS will have late buses for students that stay after school for our Learning Lounge, afternoon clubs, and athletic activities. The Learning Lounge has teachers and tutors in different subjects, and is a great place to receive extra support in any class and ensure students are meeting their goals.
Late Bus days are every Wednesday and Thursday. Students must have a bus pass from a teacher, coach, or sponsor in order to ride the late bus.
Saturday School Starts September 12
What is Saturday School?
Picture a relaxed setting where you can catch up on subjects or ask questions without the usual class rush. Saturday School provides a calm atmosphere for focused learning. If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed with assignments, Saturday School is an excellent time to seek assistance. Teachers will be available to guide you through any challenges you're facing. Take advantage of this extra time, recover some of your course work and attendance concerns.
Saturday School begins September 12, from 9am to 12pm in the Library. Breakfast will be available. No transportation provided.
See the dates below for first semester. Keep an eye on this space for any changes or updates!
First Semester Dates:
|
Sept 12
Sept 26
Oct 3
Oct 10
Oct 17
Oct 24
First Quarter ends Oct 30
Oct 31
|
Nov 7
Nov 14
Nov 21
Dec 5
Dec 12
Jan 9
Jan 23
Second Quarter ends Jan 28
|
Back to School Night Information
Come out and hear us ROAR at the Fairfax High School Back to School Night! We will be hosting families on Thursday, September 16th, 2026 to connect as a community as well as showcase our teachers and curriculum in each class. This is a parent partnership event focused on parents connecting with teachers and staff to ensure collaboration and excellence this year. We are excited to welcome you into the heart of the den!
The main event is from 6:30 pm to 8:10 pm, where families will move through a schedule of their child’s classes, meeting each teacher and learning about each class. Prior to the main event, there will be some community building events for everyone starting at 5:30 pm.
Please read through the following information for schedule details, information about community building events, parking information and more!
Back to School Night - The Main Event!
At Back to School Night parents and guardians will follow their child’s schedule, connect with every teacher, and learn about each class. This event will begin promptly at 6:30 pm and will end close to 8:10 pm.
We will be sending a printed copy of your child’s schedule home before Back to School Night. You can also find the schedule using SIS ParentVUE. Please make sure to review your child’s schedule prior to Back to School Night.
Printed maps and bell schedules will be available at Back to School Night. Please see the bell schedule below.
|
PERIOD
|
TIME
|
|
1
|
6:30 – 6:40
|
|
3
|
6:45 – 6:55
|
|
5
|
7:00 – 7:10
|
|
7
|
7:15 – 7:25
|
|
2
|
7:30– 7:40
|
|
6
|
7:45 – 7:55
|
|
8
|
8:00 – 8:10
|
Community Building Events
5:30 - 6:15 Senior Parent Night - In the Auditorium
5:30 - 6:30 AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Signing - In the Library
5:30 - 6:15 Meet Your Special Education Case Manager - MPR
5:30-6:15 Family Life Education Curriculum Review- Career Center
5:30 - 6:15 Student Services and SIS/Parent Vue Support - In Hallway in Front of Student Services
6:00-6:30 “Embracing the Roll” Grading Practices at Fairfax High School- A101
6:30 - 8:00 All Things Fairfax and Grade Level Administrators - In the commons
6:30 -8:00 School Counselors- In Hallway in Front of Student Services
All Things Fairfax
Tables will be set up in the commons with information, opportunities to support the school community, and to check off some items on your “to do” list.
- Attendance - Information regarding attendance procedures
- ParentVue – Get assistance setting up your parentVue account
- Digital Resource Consent Form - Sign the DRC to allow your student to use digital resources
- FFX School Board – Meet members of the board and learn how they support our school
- PTSA – Become a member of the PTSA
- Athletic Boosters – Buy your spirit wear and buy your booster pass
- Wellness – Information about school services and supports
- Spanish and Arabic Liaisons – Interpreter services for the event
- Map/Bell Schedule Table – Pick up a map of the school and the bell schedule for BTSN
Parking and Shuttle Bus Information
Parking will be limited at the school. Overflow parking is available at Daniel’s Run Elementary School and the Fairfax Circle Home Depot. Bus shuttles will transport to those lots starting at 5:00 PM and ending at 8:30 PM.
2026-2027 Back to School Message Video Links
Fairfax City School Board
Welcome Back
Karl Frisch - for Providence District Schools
Kyle McDaniel - represents all schools
Ryan McElveen - represents all schools
Ilryong Moon - represents all schools
Change the Closed Captions to Another Language
- Open the YouTube video.
- Turn on Closed captions (CC) by clicking or tapping the CC button.
- Click or tap the Settings (⚙️) icon.
- Select Subtitles/CC.
- Select the language you want, if it is listed.
- If your desired language is not listed, select Auto-translate and then choose the language you want.
- The captions will now appear in the selected language.
Important Info from Student Services
Important Dates and Information for Seniors
September 14: Senior Meetings during Lion Time
September 16: Senior Parent Night (5:30 in Auditorium)
September 22 - 30: Individual Senior Meetings with Counselor through Government
October 7: SAT School Day
Early College Scholars
The Early College Scholars program allows eligible public high school students to earn a minimum of 15 transferable college credits while fulfilling the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma. For the first time this form is now available in the Parent Digital Consent portal which you can access with the same username and password as ParentVue. Please take a moment to login and opt in for this program.
To qualify for this program, you'll need to meet these criteria:
- Maintain a "B" average or better in your high school courses; and
- Be pursuing an Advanced Studies Diploma; and
- Successfully complete college-level coursework, such as AP, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge, or dual enrollment, to earn at least 15 transferable* college credits. * the actual number of transferable college credits awarded depends on the criteria of the admitting college or university.
To formalize your participation, you'll sign a Governor's Early College Scholars Agreement, which will also be signed by your parents or guardians, principal, and school counselor.Parents can complete the form in the Parent Digital Consent portal.
World Language Credit By Exam
Is your student fluent in a language other than English? If so, they may be able to earn up to three high school credits toward graduation by taking the World Language Credit Exam.
This exam is a great opportunity for students to demonstrate their language proficiency and receive official recognition for their skills. By passing the exam, your student can:
- Earn up to three high school World Language credits.
- Meet the language requirement for the Advanced Studies Diploma.
- Qualify for the Virginia Seal of Biliteracy, a special recognition on their diploma.
Enrollment is limited to one assessment per language each academic year, with a lifetime maximum of two attempts per language during the secondary school years. The test will take place at Fairfax High School during the school day on November 13, 2026.
To register, students must first fill out the online registration form by clicking the link below. Once the form is complete, they will receive a confirmation message with a link to the official registration paperwork. Parents or guardians are required to sign the paperwork before the student returns it to their school counselor.
Students:
WORLD LANGUAGE REGISTRATION FORM-Deadline is October 8.
If a paper copy of the form is needed, it can be picked up at the Student Services office (L107).
Paperform deadline is October 16, 2025.
Important: This exam is not for students who have already earned three high school credits in the language they wish to test.
Don't miss out on this opportunity for your student to earn credit and be recognized for their skills!
SEL Screener Notification
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) believes in supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) for all students. In FCPS, students use a tool called the SEL Screener to think about their own SEL skills and experiences at school. Fairfax high School students in all grades will be participating in the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in the Fall (Tuesday, October 20, 2026) and Spring (March 2027).
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account.
If you wish to opt your child out of any of the activities mentioned above, you must complete and return the appropriate forms to Ms. Anderson (abanderson@fcps.edu) in Student Services or online through the Parent Digital Consent system. Instructions on how to use the Parent Digital Consent system can be found here.
Parent Digital Consent 💻
Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources
Families can now easily grant consent for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account login. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of a variety of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and more.
Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
Opt In or Out to Student Devices Being Sent Home for Grades 1-6
New this year, families can opt out of having student laptops sent home with their student.
- If you do not want your student to bring their FCPS-issued device home, please toggle the Opt Out button to a check mark and confirm by pressing Save Selection.
- If you would like your student to bring their FCPS device home, no toggle action is needed. Confirm by pressing Save Selection.
Students whose families opt out will continue to have access to an FCPS-issued device during the school day. Please reach out to your student’s teacher to understand expectations for homework and any learning activities that may require access to technology outside of the school day.
Superintendent Community Conversations 🎤
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.
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
Mock SAT and Mock ACT at Fairfax HS 📝
FHS Academic Boosters is partnering with Applerouth Tutoring to offer both the Mock SAT and the Mock ACT exams twice this school year: Saturday, September 19th and Saturday, March 20th at Fairfax High School.
This is a perfect opportunity for students who haven’t started their testing to become familiar with the format in a stress-free environment at FHS for only $25. Students will receive detailed score reports to help them determine which areas they need to study.
Students must bring a fully charged computer.
September 19, 2026 tests:
Registration: https://guidewelleducation.onecanoe.com/applerouth/school/1008801
Mock SAT registration (limited to 75): Cost $25
Test Time: Saturday, September 19th, 8:00am – 10:35am
Mock ACT (paper) registration (limited to 50): Cost $25
Test Time: Saturday, September 19th, 8:00am – 11:15am
March 20, 2027 tests:
Registration: https://guidewelleducation.onecanoe.com/applerouth/school/1008801
Mock SAT registration (limited to 75): Cost $25
Test Time: Saturday, March 20th, 8:00am – 10:35am
Mock (paper) ACT registration (limited to 50): Cost $25
Test Time: Saturday, March 20th, 8:00am – 11:15am
Questions: Academicboosters@fairfaxptsa.org
School Picture Day, September 18 📸
CADY will be on campus on September 18 photographing students in grades 9-11 for the yearbook during Lion Time. Please remind your student to dress appropriately and come prepared for their portrait.
Families can confirm their information and save $10 on photo packages when they pre-order before Picture Day. Visit cady.com/pictureday to confirm your info, explore package options, and place your order.
If a student is absent on picture day or is not on campus during Lion Time, they can come to the make-up / retake date in December.
Senior families – don’t forget you can book a session any time at the studio, through mycady.com and please watch for more information about upcoming opportunities on site (including a yearbook only photo session). Apologies for the delay on those dates.
Thank you for helping make Picture Day a success!
FHS PE Dept. Apparel Website Now Open 🏃🏼♂️➡️
The Fairfax High School PE Department’s apparel website is now open, and items are available for purchase. Items available are short sleeve shirts, long sleeve shirts, hooded sweatshirts, shorts (5" and 9" inseams), towels, and a drawstring bag. All items have our Fairfax Lions logo.
*NONE of the items on our site say “PE” or “Physical Education”, so anyone can buy our items purely as owning Fairfax HS clothing/apparel.
Ordering deadline:
-
September 1 – 25 = orders placed during this window will arrive around October 15th!
-
September 25 = the apparel website will close for the year!
To order, visit https://athleticunion.com/fairfax/
If you have any questions regarding with ordering on the Athletic Union website, please contact Bev Carruthers via email - bev@athleticunion.com
If you have any school specific questions, please contact Cathy Horacek (FHS PE Department Chair) via email – cshoracek@fcps.edu
Boys Lacrosse Fundraiser 🌯
DO GOOD with Chipotle!
Chipotle Fundraiser for Fairfax High School Lions Boys Lacrosse
25% of event sales get donated to the cause
Wednesday, September 16th, 5-9pm
11062 Main St., Fairfax, VA 22030 (Kamp Washington location)
Order online for pickup using code Q9LEMVZ or show the picture above at the restaurant.
Note: For online order to count towards the fundraiser, they must be placed for pickup only from the restaurant location of, and during the hours of, the fundraiser. Delivery orders and gift cards do not qualify. $150 minimum event sales required to receive any donation.
Family Information Phone Lines 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.
Quick Links
 |
|
Do you want to celebrate a Fairfax employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way? Or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone. |
throughout the year:
|
